Forest Green Rovers were made to come from behind again to secure all three points in the Enterprise National League this afternoon at Worthing.
It was the perfect start for the hosts, with former Rovers player Teddy Jenks nodding the Rebels ahead inside the opening two minutes.
Rovers would have to wait until Josh Osude came on to bring them level.
Fellow half-time substitute Ricardo Rees then linked up with Osude to send Rovers home with all three points.
First Half:
The hosts made the best possible start to their first home fixture in the Enterprise National League when former Rovers player Teddy Jenks nodded home from close range to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Rebels enjoyed some good spells of play in the opening 10 minutes, with Rovers struggling to get to grips with the pitch conditions. Ethan Ross was forced to get down low to deny Ramell Carter after he was played through on goal.
Dom Hutchinson was a constant threat down the left-hand side for the hosts, with his direct running causing problems for Rovers.
Rebels goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes was called into action again after Jayden Clarke dragged a shot wide to on-loan centre-back Fil Mabete, forcing him into an excellent save.
Worthing centre-back Joe Cook tested Ross in the 30th minute, heading towards goal from a corner.
Tate Campbell had a good opportunity to equalise in the 39th minute. Jayden Clarke delivered an excellent ball for the makeshift centre-back, whose headed effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Harrison Foulkes.
Rovers would need to improve in the second half if they were to get something from the game.
Half-time: Worthing 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Second Half:
Rovers started the second half brightly, with Robbie Savage making changes at the break. James Berry and Omari Patrick made way for Neil Kengni and Ricardo Rees.
It was substitute Josh Osude who brought Rovers level just before the hour mark. The pacy winger chased down a loose back pass to goalkeeper Foulkes, nicked the ball off the keeper's toes and fired into an empty net.
Tate Campbell produced an excellent sliding challenge only five minutes later to prevent Ramell Carter from creating a clear shooting opportunity.
Rovers continued to create more chances in the second half, with the changes in the wide areas proving particularly effective. Osude and Etaluku caused problems for their markers with their direct approach.
It was Rovers who would go on to claim all three points. Osude beat his man one-on-one on the left byline before setting up substitute Ricardo Rees, who poked home the winner.
Robbie Savage switched to a back five in the closing stages to ensure Rovers travelled back to Nailsworth with all three points and gave the travelling supporters something to celebrate.
Rovers now have a week until their next fixture, when they welcome Boreham Wood to The New Lawn. The hosts will be eager to make a statement following their play-off eliminator defeat to Wood back in April.
Full-time: Worthing 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
Line-ups:
Worthing: Harrison Foulkes, Colbran ©, Cook, Moore, Adjetey-Brew, Wadham (Madowski 77), Aguiar, Hutchinson, De-Graft, Jenks (Packham 77), Carter.
Subs not used: Seymour, Ransom, Godziemski, Spicer, Moulton.
Forest Green Rovers: Ross, Agina (Ajayi 90), Campbell, Mabete, Etaluku, Ewing (Kyle Kelly 55), Clarke, McAllister ©, Berry (Rees 46), Patrick (Kengni 46), Mellor (Osude 55).
Subs not used: Haughton, McNicholas.
