Forest Green Rovers remained unbeaten on the road this season after Harvey Bunker’s second half strike defeated Sutton United 1-0 at the VBS Community Stadium.
Early dominance from Rovers almost paid off on 18 minutes when Jamie Robson wriggled into the area before pulling a cross back to Kyle McAllister, who curled his effort over the bar.
Rovers continued to dominate the half and on 28 minutes Nathan Holland made a sensational run through the middle before sending Matty Taylor in on goal whose effort stung the palms of the U’s goalkeeper.
Taylor thought he had Rovers ahead on 38 minutes when Charlie McCann fed him through to roll an effort past the goalkeeper but turned to see the flag up on the far side.
Rovers ended the first half strongly with both Taylor and McCann having low driven efforts well saved by Jack Rose in the U’s goal.
The break didn’t halt Rovers dominance though as just four minutes into the second half, Troy Deeney muscled his way through on goal, but saw his low shot palmed away by Rose.
Persistence was the key in this match, and it was rewarded on 63 minutes when Harvey Bunker grabbed his first goal of the season after McAllister teed him up to curl an effort into the bottom left corner from 18-yards.
The U’s weren’t going down without a fight and threw everything at Rovers in the final minutes. They could’ve found a way through in the final moments if not for the heroics of Ryan Inniss.
Lee Angol was through on goal, but the FGR centre-back got across fantastically to make a last-ditch tackle preserving all three points for Rovers.
Focus switches to the EFL Trophy for Rovers as they prepare to welcome Shrewsbury Town to The New Lawn on Tuesday night.
Line-ups:
Sutton Utd- Rose (GK), Goodliffe, John, Coley, Smith, Beautyman©, Patrick, Clay, Kizzi, Milsom, O’Brien.
Subs- Sowunmi (92'), N’Guessan (75'), Mellor (85'), Kashkett (74'), Bouzanis (GK), Jackson, Angol (75')
Forest Green- Daniels (GK), Bernard©, Inniss, McAllister, McCann, Taylor, Deeney, Robson, Welch, Bunker, Holland.
Subs- Johnson (89), Jenks (76), Stevens (76), Bendall, Searle (GK), Omotoye (43), Brown.
