Rovers’ unbeaten run came to an end with defeat at the hands of Crawley Town on Tuesday evening.

Head Coach Mark Cooper made one change to his starting eleven from Boxing Day’s score draw with Exeter City. Skipper Carl Winchester returned to the side, replacing Dom Bernard – who started from the bench.

The Red Devils managed to stamp their authority on the encounter within the opening quarter of an hour, using their high-tempo game plan to break the deadlock. Winchester misplaced a pass on the edge of the penalty area, which allowed Jake Hessenthaler to thread a ball to Tom Nichols – who fired home.

It was a half of limited chances for the home side – but they responded to going behind with a few opportunities for themselves. Nicky Cadden guided his free-kick calmly into the midriff of Glenn Morris – before Nottingham Forest loanee Jayden Richardson saw his chance caught yet again by Morris.

Rovers came flying out of the blocks in the early stages of the second half – and Jamille Matt nearly found the leveller. Beating his man on the left-flank, Cadden managed to find the FGR forward who nodded his header into the side netting.

Mark Cooper’s charges were rewarded for their quick start and found the equaliser. Jake Young made way for Chris Stokes for the second forty-five – and from a 25-yard free-kick, swerved the ball beyond Morris between the sticks for the visitors.

Tom Nichols was proving to be a handle for the whole match – and netted the winner for John Yems’ side. Jack Powell sent across an excellent pass for the former Bristol Rovers man – who chested the ball down and poked it beyond Luke McGee.

Forest Green XI: McGee, Sweeney, Stokes (Young 46), Winchester (Stevens 85), Adams, Collins (Whitehouse 74), Matt, Bailey (Wagstaff 60), Godwin-Malife, Richardson.

Unused subs: Thomas, Bernard, Moore-Taylor.

Crawley Town XI: Morris, Francomb (Davies 52), Dallison, Powell, Nichols, Sesay, Tunnicliffe, Matthews, Craig, Tsaroulla (Frost 82), Hessenthaler.

Unused subs: Nelson, McNerney, Nadesan, Ashford.

Referee: James Linington

Man of the Match: Jake Young