Forest Green Rovers were defeated 2-1 by Hartlepool at Victoria Park after two first-half strikes for the home side.
Manager Robbie Savage went with an experimental side ahead of their playoff campaign, and they were behind after 35 minutes when Adam Campbell struck.
Just before the half-time whistle, Hartlepool managed to make it two when Reiss McNally’s header beat Harry Isted.
Kyle McAllister managed to add his 14th league goal of the season from the edge of the box, but it was too little too late.
First Half
It was a cagey start to Rovers’ last away trip of the regular league season, with the hosts creating some half-chances, including a Tyrese Sinclair opportunity that Harry Isted managed to deny.
FGR grew into the game and had their first clear-cut chance when Ashqar Ahmed’s effort went through bodies, allowing Nick Hayes to easily claim the ball.
A moment which could’ve changed the outcome of the game was when Kyle McAllister’s corner was headed in by the charging Jordan Moore-Taylor, but it was disallowed for a push in the back on Hayes on the line.
Hartlepool took the lead after some good work from Alex Reid down the left allowed him to cut the ball back to Campbell whose first-time finish found the right corner.
The advantage was doubled shortly after when Jamie Milley’s corner was met by McNally, who rose highest in added time of the first half.
HALF-TIME: Hartlepool United 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half
In the opening stages of the second half, Hartlepool nearly made it three as Reid played the ball to Campbell, who ultimately dragged his effort by the left post.
Just like the first half, both sides struggled to fashion many chances in the second half, and it took until the 79th minute for the next key chance when Sinclair unleashed a powerful strike, which forced a strong save from Harry Isted.
Rovers continued pressing as they looked for a late comeback into the game and nearly had a breakthrough as Jili Buyabu’s cross was headed wide by Kairo Mitchell.
The pressure from the away side continued as Buyabu laid the ball off to Jayden Clarke and his attempt from the edge of the box flew off target.
McAllister managed to get a goal back for FGR as he was given the ball by Tom Knowles and after some neat work fired past Hayes into the bottom right corner.
Despite continued late pressure from Rovers, they were unable to fashion an equaliser and now sit seventh in the table with Morecambe at home next weekend.
FULL-TIME: Hartlepool United 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Hartlepool United: Hayes, Benn, Kouogun, McNally, John, Hunter, Sheron, Campbell (Daly 73), Miley (Smith-Sway 81), Sinclair (Oliver 81), Reid (Caton 73). Subs not used: Parkes, Folarin, Walker
Forest Green Rovers: Isted, Mendy, Moore-Taylor, Mingi (Nwoko 77), Buyabu, Ahmed (Mitchell 65), McAllister, Etaluku (Knowles 46), Rees (Kengni 77), Haughton (Clarke 56), Mellor. Subs not used: Pagel, Campbell.
