Rovers earned a hard-fought draw at Meadow Park after an evenly contested match with Boreham Wood.

The hosts started well, but both sides created chances in the first half, with Harry Isted making key saves to keep the scores level at the break. Boreham Wood midfielder Marley Marshall was lucky not to see red after a dangerous tackle on Kyle McAllister.

Boreham Wood took the lead early in the second half through Lewis Richardson’s header, despite Rovers beginning the half brightly.

Rovers responded when Kyle McAllister converted a penalty after a handball, and although they were reduced to ten men late on, they held firm under pressure to secure a deserved point

First Half

It was a fairly fast start to the first half, with the hosts creating an early opportunity within the opening two minutes. Lewis Richardson saw his shot blocked by Jay Mingi in the third minute. Rovers then had a good opportunity of their own at six minutes, taking a short corner which was blocked by the home defence.

The Rovers bench felt outraged in the 15th minute when Boreham Wood midfielder Marley Marsh was not shown a red card after Kyle McAllister was taken down by a heavy tackle high on his knee. Despite having a good view of the challenge, the referee chose to take no action, and Rovers boss Robbie Savage was shown a yellow card for his protests.

As the clock passed the 30-minute mark, Rovers won several wide free-kicks in an attempt to test goalkeeper Curd properly. However, they struggled to create a clear opening, with both sides looking dangerous when they found space down the flanks.

Matt Rush had a good opportunity to put the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute, but goalkeeper Harry Isted made himself big to force a corner before Rush could unleash a dangerous effort.

Boreham Wood looked the most likely to take the lead in the closing stages of the first half. Striker Rush had another good chance, but Isted was on hand again to keep the hosts at bay.

Jili Buyabu and Ricardo Rees linked up nicely on 45 minutes, with the Rovers wing-back flashing a driven ball across the area. The onrushing Christian Doidge was unable to get a touch to turn it home.

Half time: Boreham Wood 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

Second Half:

Ricardo Rees had a golden opportunity to put Rovers ahead just 45 seconds into the second half when a Boreham Wood defender made an unforced error inside his own box. The ball fell kindly to the Rovers frontman, but his swivelling shot failed to find the target.

Rovers started the brighter of the two sides, with Christian Doidge going close following some neat passages of play. The Rovers forward saw his effort take a slight deflection.

However, it was the home side who broke the deadlock, with Lewis Richardson rising highest to head home from a cross and put the hosts in front in minute 52.

Harry Isted produced an excellent save to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead on 55 minutes, after Rovers failed to deal with another cross from the right-hand side. Despite trailing, the Rovers supporters remained in fine voice, backing their side from behind the goal. Isted was called into action again soon after, denying Charlie O’Connell’s effort from 25 yards.

Rovers drew level on 65 minutes after Boreham Wood captain Chris blocked a Tom Knowles cross with his arm. After a brief hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot. Kyle McAllister made no mistake in sending Ted Curd the wrong way to bring Rovers back into the game.

Knowles found space on the edge of the area on 73 minutes and struck a well-hit effort from range to test Curd once more. Zak Brunt and substitute Leon Ayinde produced a well-worked chance; however, Harry Isted was there once again to make another good stop to keep the score level.

Rovers were reduced to ten men on 84 minutes when substitute Josh Osude was shown a red card following an off-the-ball incident.

After sustained pressure from the hosts for the remainder of the half, Rovers showed great resilience to hold on and come away from Meadow Park with a well-earned draw. Manager Robbie Savage will be pleased with the character his side displayed in the final stages, as attention now turns to Tuesday when Rovers welcome an in-form Boston United, unbeaten in their last six matches, with four wins and two draws.

Full-time: Boreham Wood 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

Boreham Wood: Curd, Coxe, Ilesanmi, Bush ©, O’connell, Brunt, Abdulmalik, Richardson (Ayinde, 67), Marshall-Miranda, Booty, Rush.

Subs not used: Payne, Newton, Henry, Clayden, Norris, Robinson.

Forest Green Rovers: Isted, McAllister ©, Doidge (Osude, 68 sent off, 84), Knowles (Kengni, 76), Campbell (Bunker, 77), Mingi, Buyabu (Morrison, 85), Kircough, Nwoko, Kanu, Rees

Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton.

Attendance: 1141 (Away: 188)