Match Report | Eastleigh 2-4 Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green Rovers came from two goals down to secure an impressive victory over Eastleigh.

After Harvey Saunders’ brace put the hosts in control, D’Mani Mellor pulled one back before half-time to spark the comeback.

Kyle McAllister levelled from the spot and then fired Rovers ahead, while Harry Isted’s crucial penalty save proved a turning point.

Nick Haughton sealed the win in added time to complete a strong turnaround and take Rovers to 71 points.

First Half:

Rovers started brightly in the opening five minutes, with left-back Jili Buyabu having a good opportunity to open the scoring after being given room to shoot on the left-hand side, but his effort just flew past Eastleigh goalkeeper Josh McNamara’s right post.

Harry Isted was called into action in the 17th minute when Aaron Blair was played through, forcing Isted to react quickly to clear.

Isted was called into action only a minute later, with Aaron Blair again proving a thorn in the Rovers' side. Isted pulled off an excellent save down to his left after Blair was allowed to fire at goal.

Eastleigh found themselves ahead in the 21st minute. Rovers failed to clear their lines following a deep ball into the box, and the ball fell kindly for Harvey Saunders, who made no mistake to put the hosts in front as he fired past Isted.

The hosts doubled their lead ten minutes later after a critical error from Jili Buyabu. The left-back played in Harvey Saunders after an overhit back pass fell into the path of the Spitfires forward, who calmly slotted it past Harry Isted.

Rovers pulled a goal back just before the break, with D’Mani Mellor using his strength well against his opponent to win the ball and convert past McNamara, scoring his first goal in Rovers colours.

Half-time: Eastleigh 2–1 Forest Green Rovers

Second half:

Rovers almost scored instantly from the restart of the second half. Substitute Tom Knowles raced down the right to play in fellow half-time substitute Nick Haughton, who dragged his effort just wide of the post.

Rovers were level seven minutes later, with leading goalscorer Kyle McAllister converting from the spot after Nick Haughton was fouled in the area by Josh Lundstram.

Jili Buyabu had a golden opportunity to turn the game on its head, with the on-loan Sheffield United player failing to convert after D’Mani Mellor delivered the ball from the right-hand side.

Harry Isted made an essential penalty save just after the hour mark, diving the right way to parry Lloyd Humphries’ attempt from 12 yards. A save that would prove crucial in the moments to come.

And it was that man again, Kyle McAllister, scoring his 14th goal of the season in all competitions. The Scotsman squeezed his effort into the left-hand corner in the 65th minute from the edge of the area.

Nick Haughton put the game to bed in added time, with the midfielder picking up the ball in his own half and driving towards the Eastleigh goal. Haughton then did brilliantly to create space down the right with the defender closing in, before smashing the ball past Josh McNamara, hitting the post on the way in.

Robbie Savage will be delighted to have reached the 70-point mark for the season, and to have seen a strong reaction after going two down today, following Wednesday night’s defeat away at Tamworth. Rovers have a week off before the quick-fire games over the Easter period.

Full-time Eastleigh 4-2 Forest Green Rovers

Eastleigh: McNamara, Brindley (Humphries 34), Eweka, Baldwin, Moore, Vokins, Aguiar (Evan 78), Cousins, Lundstram, Saunders (Tabor 82), Blair.

Subs not used: Underhill, Waruih, Stone, Effiong.

Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, Kircough (Moore-Taylor 46), Kanu (Kengni 46), Buaybu (Ahmed 46), Pemberton (Knowles 46), Nwoko, Campbell (Haughton 46), Clarke, McAllister, Mellor.

Subs not used: Pagel, Marquez.

Attendance: 2552