Forest Green Rovers returned from the East coast with all three points, as Jake Young’s goal saw off Southend United.

At times frustrated by the side propping up League Two, Rovers had to be patient, but saw that patience rewarded shortly after the hour mark.

Mark Cooper made four changes to the side that drew with Barrow on Saturday, as Chris Stokes and Jordan Moore-Taylor joined Udoka Godwin-Malife win a back three, while Kane Wilson came in at right wing-back.

Dan Sweeny came into the heart of midfield alongside Carl Winchester as Jake Young dropped to the bench.

After a quiet start, it was the visitors who created the first opening as Odin Bailey slid a ball through to Ebou Adams. The Gambian gave chase, but goalkeeper Mark Oxley was quick off his line to bravely halt his progress.

The best chance of a quiet first half fell the way of Matt Rush after 39 minutes, as Elvis Bwomono danced through two challenges on the edge of the FGR box before feeding his teammate inside the area.

Rush, with plenty of time on his hands, screwed the effort wide of the near post from 10 yards.

With just minutes until Kieth Stroud’s half-time whistle, Jamille Matt could have sent Rovers into the dressing room with heads high, but glanced Nicky Cadden’s cross just over.

Cadden then, from a similar position to his stunner on Saturday, hit a free-kick goalwards but Oxley beat it away.

The second half started more quickly, and both sides had chances with the first five minutes.

Luke McGee was called into action as he pushed away a low cross, before Adam’s pass set Bailey away down the right.

The Birmingham loanee darted into the area and dropped a shoulder, but saw his effort deflected over the bar.

A double change from Mark Cooper was all it took for his side to race into the lead after 63 minutes, his additions combining for the opener.

Moments after coming onto the pitch, a fantastic bit of Aaron Collins skill saw him square it back to Young, who made no mistake from eight yards.

Young could have added a second just minutes later, but he glanced a header onto the base of the post before Cadden saw his follow-up charged down.

Referee: Kieth Stroud

Southend XI: Oxley, Bwomono, Hobson, Olayinka, Dieng, Goodship, Egbri, Rush (Coker 65’), Demetriou (McCormack 73’), Kyprianou, White (c)

On the bench: Seaden, Phillips, Chandler, Adedoja

Forest Green XI: McGee, Wilson (Richardson 71’), Sweeney (Collins 57’), Stokes, Winchester (c) (Whitehouse 75’), Adams, Cadden, Matt, Moore-Taylor, Bailey (Young 57’), Godwin-Malife

On the bench: Thomas, Stevens, March

Man of the Match: Chris Stokes