Forest Green were unfortunate to go down 3-0 against League Two side Walsall in an entertaining pre-season match at The New Lawn on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Jonny Stuttle, Aaron Pressley and Charlie Lakin were the difference on the day.

Rovers started brightly and almost opened the scoring in the opening few minutes with Kyle McAllister lifting an inviting cross for Laurent Mendy but his header was saved low down by Myles Roberts.

Soon after, Mason Hancock delivered an excellent cross for Stuttle who guided his header into the corner of the net.

Rovers came very close to levelling when McAllister struck Tre Pemberton's low cross towards goal but it was deflected past the post.

Hancock provided another moment of quality for Walsall - this time finding Pressley in the penalty area as he glanced home a second for the Saddlers.

Half-time: Forest Green 0-2 Walsall

Jamie Jellis went close after the break, but Jamie Robson made an excellent block just inside the penalty area.

Jose Marquez and Christian Doidge linked up smartly with the former striking just wide of the post.

Soon after, Marquez found Doidge once more but Roberts made a fine low stop before Jayden Clarke struck wide of the target on the follow up.

Charlie Lakin added a third for the visitors with a fine finish from outside the area, finding the bottom corner.

Full-time: Forest Green 0-3 Walsall

Teams:

Forest Green: McNicholas, Pemberton, Kanu, Bunker, Kengni, Mendy, McCann, McAllister, Clarke, Bamba, Mitchell.

Subs used: Long, Doidge, Knowles, Moore-Taylor, Robson, May, Marquez. Subs not used: Pagel

Walsall: Roberts, Barrett, Hancock, Flint, Burke, Stuttle, Lakin, Comley, Pressley, Jellis, Browne.

Subs: Hornby, Clarke, Harper, Farquharson, Weir, Cox, Trialist A, Maher, Gordon, Matt, Adomah.

Attendance: 992 (195 away).