Josh March’s diving header saw off giant killers Alvechurch as Rovers progressed to the FA Cup third round for just the third time in their history.

A quick paced start by Forest Green led to chances coming in thick and fast for the home side. 

Harry Boyes made a positive start down the left hand side with a couple of early crosses being defended well by seventh tier Alvechurch. 

Just minutes later, Brentford loanee Myles Peart-Harris progressed into the box before a penalty appeal was waved away following a coming together with Ethan Sephton. 

The Church then had a chance of their own when Rovers 'keeper Luke McGee misplaced a pass and the ball fell to Josh Concannon who failed to capitalise. 

Former Alvechurch player Josh March marched into the penalty area and was caught late by Aurio Teixeira. Without hesitation, the referee pointed straight to the penalty spot and Connor Wickham stepped up.

His penalty was slammed straight down the middle, underneath the outstretched Dan Jezeph.

The second-half got underway and Rovers suffered early pressure from the non-league side. Tyrell Hamilton immediately won a free kick just over 20 yards out for The Church as he was pushed to the ground. 

Jed Abbey stepped up to take it and beautifully curled one right into the top corner to level the score with an absolute wonder strike for the visitors. 

The visitors' lead didn’t last long though as Boyes progressed down the line and was finally rewarded for his constant crosses as March’s stooping header at the back post trickled over the line. 

This goal certainly revitalised Forest Green as Peart-Harris’ header inside the box hammered the post before Wickham’s volley sailed wide of the post. 

Straight after this, Wickham’s pinpoint through ball found March whose volley was tipped over superbly by Jezeph.

But with just 18 minutes to go, Dom Bernard saw red after he put in another late challenge which was met with a second yellow card. 

This subsequently led to late pressure from the away side but Rovers defended valiantly to see out their 2-1 lead and progress to the third round.