Forest Green Rovers couldn’t find a way through a resolute Salford City defence at the Peninsula Stadium, as the sides played out a goalless draw.

Rovers created a hat-full of chances throughout the 90 minutes, but couldn’t find the finishing touch in a frustrating afternoon in Greater Manchester.

Mark Cooper made just one change to the side that drew with Bradford City last weekend, new signing Jayden Richardson replaces Dom Bernard at right-wing-back.

Jamille Matt, in search of his first goal in a Rovers shirt, almost opened the scoring mere minutes into the encounter.

The big forward made a nuisance of himself in the box, before nodding Aaron Collins cross goalwards, only to be denied by a fantastic save.

It was the hosts who had the best chance of the opening exchanges though, Tom Elliott winning the ball in midfield and racing through on goal. But for a brilliant Liam Kitching challenge in the area, Rovers could have found themselves behind.

Richardson, looking very sharp on his debut, was the next to carve out a chance for Cooper’s men, the youngster cutting in onto his weaker left foot to see a shot turned behind for a corner.

The best chance of the half came just two minutes before the break, as Ebou Adams flung himself at Collins’ clever cross but couldn’t quite connect to the high, bouncing ball inside the six-yard box.

Collins, driving inside from the right, was the first go test the keeper in the second half, as his powerful left-footed was well gathered.

Bruno Andrade went close at the other end moments later, firing against the legs of Luke McGee from a tight angle, before Collins had another chance as he saw his effort from the left well blocked inside the area.

Winchester played a hero’s role in the dying minutes of the encounter, hooking the ball clear after a frenzied goal-mouth scramble and taking the full force of an on-rushing Salford forward for his pleasures.

Referee: Thomas Bramall

Salford XI: Hladky, Touray, Lowe, Eastham (c), Elliott, Hunter, Andrade (Wilson 80’), Turnball, Golden, Thomas-Asante, Henderson

Unused subs: Evans, Armstrong, Smith, Denny, Fielding

Forest Green XI: McGee, Sweeney (Stevens 68’), Kitching, Winchester (c), Adams, Collins, Cadden, Matt (McCoulsky 89’), Moore-Taylor, Godwin-Malife, Richardson (Wagstaff 61’)

Unused subs: Thomas, Bernard, Stokes, Allen