Forest Green overcame fellow promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood 2-1 in a tight battle at The New Lawn on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Jili Buyabu and Harvey Bunker were enough for three points despite Matt Rush's second-half strike.

Rovers started fastest out the blocks on this autumn afternoon at TNL. Jayden Clarke and Tom Knowles both having close efforts in the opening ten minutes of play.

Buyabu's deep cross was headed towards the six-yard box where forward Temi Babalola's back-heel deflected kindly for visiting goalkeeper Finlay Herrick.

Rovers made the breakthrough on 33 minutes when Buyabu shifted onto his left, and struck low past Herrick from the edge of the penalty area.

Zak Brunt forced Luke McNicholas into an important stop, the midfielder run was picked out before he struck at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Rovers came close to doubling the lead on the cusp of half-time but Knowles' effort was deflected wide, before Babalola's header flew inches over the crossbar.

Half-time: Forest Green 1-0 Boreham Wood

Wood substitute Cameron Coxe forced McNicholas into action, his low drive was parried to relative safety by the Rovers shot-stopper.

Boreham Wood equalised just after the hour mark through Rush - he struck powerfully past McNicholas into the far corner.

Rovers were awarded a penalty soon after - Neil Kengni's low cross was handled with Bunker sending Herrick the wrong way from the spot.

Wood pressed late on but Rovers kept the visitors at bay to take the points.

Full-time: Forest Green 2-1 Boreham Wood

Forest Green: McNicholas, Pemberton, Buyabu (Kanu 80), Moore-Taylor, Inniss, Moore, Bunker, Whitwell, Knowles (Kengni 63), Clarke (Bamba 63), Babalola (Doidge 69)

Subs not used: Pagel, Haughton, Balagizi.

Boreham Wood: Herrick, Ilesanmi, Bush, O'Connell, Sousa (Richardson 80), Brunt (Norris 59), Abdulmalik, King (Coxe 59), Reynolds, White, Rush.

Subs not used: Dixon, Benton, Newton, Clayden.

Attendance: 1,825 (104 away)