Match Report | FGR 2-2 Bristol Rovers

Forest Green Rovers conceded a 90th-minute equaliser as they were held to a draw in their first home game of pre-season.

Forest Green were unable to make it four wins from four in pre-season as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bristol Rovers at The New Lawn.

D'Mani Mellor opened the scoring after 10 minutes, making a powerful run to the near post to glance Kyle McAllister's corner into the far corner of the net.

A second soon followed for FGR as James Berry calmly converted another excellent pass from McAllister to double the hosts' advantage.

The second half saw The Gas grow into the contest, scoring twice, including a stunning 90th-minute equaliser from substitute Tommy Leigh that gave Luke McNicholas no chance.

First Half:

The first opportunity for Robbie Savage's side came within minutes of kick-off when Sydney Agina played an excellent ball over the top to Tate Campbell. Campbell picked out Mellor inside the box, but his effort drifted wide of the target.

Home debutant James Berry won Forest Green a corner after 10 minutes, and the hosts took the lead when McAllister's inswinging delivery from the right was met by Mellor, who glanced a header into the far corner.

Berry doubled The Green Devils' lead just seven minutes later. After making a well-timed run, he latched onto another McAllister pass before calmly guiding the ball into the bottom corner with the inside of his right foot.

Bristol Rovers were handed a golden opportunity to pull one back when Alfie Kilgour found himself with a close-range effort after McNicholas had made an initial save. However, the defender blazed his shot over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

Half-time: Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Second Half:

Forest Green began the second half brightly, with centre-back Kyle Ajayi heading narrowly wide from a set-piece within the opening minutes.

The visitors then squandered a promising attack after breaking three-on-two against the Forest Green defence. A loose pass across the face of goal drifted wide, and the resulting cut-back was comfortably gathered by McNicholas.

Despite Bristol Rovers growing into the game, Forest Green continued to create chances. Substitute Kairo Mitchell came closest to extending the lead when his low-driven effort struck the base of the post.

The Gas pulled a goal back when Tommy Leigh capitalised on a loose ball after McNicholas was unable to gather a cross into the corridor of uncertainty.

Leigh almost grabbed his second moments later, striking a superb volley from around 20 yards that looked destined for the top corner before crashing against the post.

The visitors eventually found their equaliser in the 90th minute, with Leigh completing his brace spectacularly. Receiving the ball outside the penalty area, he unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top-right corner, leaving McNicholas with no chance.

It is a quick turnaround for Rovers, who welcome newly promoted Championship side Cardiff City to The New Lawn on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for this match are available to purchase HERE.

Full-time: Forest Green Rovers 2-2 Bristol Rovers

Line-ups:

Forest Green Rovers: McNicholas, Agina (Pemberton 59’), Obi (Merrett 59’), Ajayi (Kircough 59’), Kengni (Robson 59’), Campbell (Clarke 59’), Ewing (Walsh 59’), McAllister (Haughton 59’), Etaluku (Conteh 55’), Berry (Bonnick 59'), Mellor (Mitchell 59’)

Subs (not used): Pagel

Bristol Rovers: Southwood (Young 69’), James (Southam-Hales 69’), Kilgour (Harbottle 69’), Kamwa (Balmer 69’), Aitchison (Mola 69’), Kelly (Smallwood 69’), Harrison (Howley 46’), Omochere (Quigley 69’), De Havilland (Leigh 69’), McEachran (Forde 69’), Moore (Cavegn 69’)

Subs (not used): Purrington

Attendance: 1144 (Away 382)