Rovers claimed a 1-0 win over a Derby County XI in an entertaining pre-season match at The New Lawn.

The hosts created a number of chances with substitute Tom Knowles netting the all-important goal in the second half.

Rovers started the brighter and on the front door as Jayden Clarke struck past the far post in the early exchanges.

Rovers went close just after the half hour mark when Luke McNicholas struck a long ball out of his hands to Neil Kengni - he guided the ball across goal but just out of the reach of Yahya Bamba.

Minutes later, Kairo Mitchell hammered the crossbar following a precise ball in behind the Derby backline.

Half-time: Forest Green 0-0 Derby County XI

Knowles linked up with Doidge on 70 minutes, fizzing a low cross for the forward but Josh Vickers smothered the effort.

Soon after, the pair linked up to good effect once more as Doidge's effort was parried as far as Knowles who bundled home from close range.

Knowles went close to a spectacular second - he spotted Vickers off his line and struck from the halfway line but his effort cannoned back out off the upright.

Doidge was denied a place on the scoresheet with his header saved by Vickers following an inviting Jamie Robson cross.

Full-time: Forest Green 1-0 Derby County XI

Forest Green: McNicholas, Pemberton, Kanu, Moore-Taylor, Kengni (Knowles 67), Moore (May 62), Mendy, Clarke, McAllister (Robson 62), Bamba, Mitchell (Doidge 67).

Subs not used: Pagel, Long, McCann, Bunker, Marquez.

Derby County XI: Vickers, Turley, Canoville, Osborn, Weimann, Ozoh, Robinson, Pieters, Ward, Oguntolu, Ebuka Agbawodikeizu

Subs: Evans, Price, Tola, Wheeldon, Green, McAndrew, Osayande, Banks, Hawkins.