Rovers stretched their unbeaten run in the league to six matches after a 1-1 draw with Port Vale.

Head Coach Mark Cooper kept the winning side from the weekend’s match over Cambridge United at the innocent New Lawn, while the bench saw a return for Jake Young after recovering from his ankle injury.

Vale started the match the quickest out of the blocks – and looked likely to open the scoring within the first few minutes. Devante Rodney was proving a real handful and created their first chance after finding space down the right flank. The winger picked out a superb cross for Tom Conlon, who was racing into the penalty area, but he nodded his chance well wide.

Rovers responded well to the home side’s early dominance, creating a golden opportunity to race into the lead. A threat on the left, Nicky Cadden looked to pick out Aaron Collins lurking at the far post, but the Welshman glanced the chance over the crossbar from close range.

Rodney began to cause plenty more problems for the Rovers defence – and played a key role in securing the opener. The 22-year-old used his pace to get into the box – and picked out veteran striker Tom Pope, who saw his effort deflected into the back of the net beyond Luke McGee.

But once again, Rovers looked to respond quickly courtesy of a superb counterattack from the visitors. Ebou Adams hooked a ball forward for Collins, who got the better of Vale skipper Leon Legge to bend his curling effort into the top corner and put the visitors back on level terms.

Askey’s showed his frustration after a guilt-edged chance for the home side went begging, just minutes into the second half. Scott Burgess’ effort cannoned off the crossbar into the path of Rodney – and his chance was cleared off the line by Dom Bernard, allowing McGee to collect with ease.

Rovers almost certainly would’ve taken the lead with fifteen minutes remaining, only to be denied by Scott Brown. Darting into the penalty area, Cadden managed to get a powerful shot away on his right foot – but the Vale stopper got a strong hand to the strike and it was cleared away from danger.

Port Vale XI: Brown, Joyce, Legge, Smith, Pope, Conlon, Mills, Burgess, Rodney, Fitzpatrick, Hurst (Amoo 70).

Unused subs: Robinson, Brisley, Clark, Whitehead, McKirdy, Visser.

Forest Green XI: McGee, Bernard, Sweeney, Stokes, Adams, Collins, Cadden (Wagstaff 87), Matt (Stevens 51), Bailey (Young 71), Godwin-Malife, Richardson.

Unused subs: Thomas, Wilson, Whitehouse, March.

Referee: Charles Breakspear