Match ends, Forest Green Rovers 2, Chester FC 1.
Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Chester
- From the section Football
Forest Green came from behind to beat Chester and return to the top of the National League.
Ross Hannah powerfully headed in Jordan Chapell's corner to put the visitors in front after 12 minutes.
But Rovers were ahead by half-time as Elliott Frear released Jon Parkin to hammer home and Keanu Marsh-Brown curled in after collecting a poor back-pass by Ryan Higgins.
The hosts dug in during the second half to replace Cheltenham at the top.
Forest Green assistant manager Jamie Day told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:
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"We're disappointed with the start, we've been a bit lazy with our play - maybe it gave us the kick up the bum that we needed to get going.
"We woke up after that and stepped it up - we passed the ball pretty well at times, under pressure as well, and got the lead we deserved.
"It's always going to be a bit nervy towards the end, but I felt we did enough to see the game out and deserved to get the three points."
Line-ups
Forest Green
- 23Maxted
- 6Bennett
- 4Clough
- 24CarterSubstituted forBenderat 87'minutes
- 3JenningsBooked at 58mins
- 16Racine
- 19SinclairBooked at 5mins
- 8Wedgbury
- 9Marsh-BrownSubstituted forKellyat 73'minutes
- 11Frear
- 20ParkinBooked at 21mins
Substitutes
- 5Jones
- 10Kelly
- 18Bender
- 21Baldwin
- 25Eve
Chester
- 1WorsnopBooked at 58mins
- 2Higgins
- 3Hunt
- 7Mahon
- 6SharpsBooked at 45minsSubstituted forHeneghanat 64'minutes
- 4KayBooked at 90mins
- 5George
- 8Shaw
- 11Chapell
- 9Hannah
- 17RobertsSubstituted forMcDonaghat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 13Forth
- 16Woodland
- 18Gordon
- 20McDonagh
- 22Heneghan
- Referee:
- Nigel Lugg
- Attendance:
- 1,561
Match Stats
Home TeamForest GreenAway TeamChester
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away6
- Corners
- Home8
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away10
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Forest Green Rovers 2, Chester FC 1.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Elliott Frear (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick.
Foul by Johnny Hunt (Chester FC).
Elliott Frear (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick.
Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Elliott Frear tries a through ball, but Elliott Frear is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Jamie McDonagh (Chester FC) left footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Tom Bender replaces Darren Carter.
Attempt missed. Jamie McDonagh (Chester FC) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Corner, Forest Green Rovers.
Attempt missed. Luke George (Chester FC) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Johnny Hunt with a cross.
Attempt missed. Elliott Frear (Forest Green Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Marcus Kelly replaces Keanu Marsh-Brown.
Attempt missed. Luke George (Chester FC) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan Chapell.
Corner, Chester FC.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Jon Parkin (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick.
Attempt missed. Luke George (Chester FC) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan Chapell.
Corner, Chester FC.
Attempt saved. James Jennings (Forest Green Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved. Assisted by Elliott Frear.
Corner, Forest Green Rovers.
Attempt saved. Jamie McDonagh (Chester FC) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved.
Attempt missed. Jon Parkin (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Chester FC. Ben Heneghan replaces Ian Sharps.
Substitution
Substitution, Chester FC. Jamie McDonagh replaces James Roberts.
Foul by Keanu Marsh-Brown (Forest Green Rovers).
Johnny Hunt (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Dale Bennett (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick.
Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Keanu Marsh-Brown tries a through ball, but Keanu Marsh-Brown is caught offside.
Booking
Jon Worsnop (Chester FC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Booking
James Jennings (Forest Green Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by James Jennings (Forest Green Rovers).
Jon Worsnop (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Corner, Forest Green Rovers.
Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Keanu Marsh-Brown tries a through ball, but Keanu Marsh-Brown is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Ross Hannah (Chester FC) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Jon Parkin (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick.