Second half goals from Emmanuel Osadebe and Kyle McAllister earned Forest Green Rovers a massive 2-0 win against Walsall at The New Lawn.
Steve Cotterill made one change to his side that was defeated at Grimsby Town last weekend as Ryan Inniss returned to the starting line-up following his two-match suspension.
It was a first-half of little action, but Rovers had the opening chance on 21 minutes when Charlie McCann’s well struck effort from 18-yards was denied by Jackson Smith.
The Saddlers had their fair share of attacks, with their best of the half coming moments before the interval when Josh Gordan’s close ranged effort was well stopped by Vicente Reyes.
That save started the Chilean ‘keeper's man of the match performance as four minutes into the second period he rushed out to produce a fantastic one-on-one save to stop Gordon yet again.
Rovers grew in confidence and on 64 minutes Osadebe broke the deadlock, following up on a Christian Doidge effort that rebounded back off the post, hammering the ball into an empty net.
Six minutes later, the Saddlers had a chance to level the game when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Joe Foulkes.
Isaac Hutchinson stepped up, but an inspired Reyes got a strong, trailing hand in the way to keep the spot kick out before Hutchinson sent the follow up over the bar.
The visitors' afternoon went from bad to worse three minutes later when they were reduced to 10-men as David Okagbue was shown a straight red for a foul on Doidge.
Rovers made the extra man count throwing everything forward and on 79 minutes were awarded a penalty of their own when substitute, Tyrese Omotoye, was brought down by the Saddlers ‘keeper.
McAllister stepped and lashed home Rovers' second of the game, securing another vital three points to move Cotterill’s side within two points of safety.
It’s a quick turnaround for Rovers who are back in League Two action on Tuesday night as we travel to Valley Parade to take on Bradford City.
FGR XI: Reyes (GK), Thompson, Robson, Inniss, Keogh (Bernard 80’), Moore-Taylor ©, McCann, Bunker (Omotoye 58’), Osadebe, McAllister, Doidge.
Subs not used; Searle (GK), Johnson, Lavinier, Jones, Maddox.
Referee: Thomas Kirk.
Star man: Vicente Reyes.
Attendance: 2,883 (1,075).
