Tom Broadbent’s late winner secured all three points for Swindon Town in the final group-stage match of the Papa John’s Trophy.

The Robins sparked the game into life with two good opportunities in quick succession. Former Rovers man Jordan Stevens guided his strike just wide of the mark, before Jonny Smith forced Lewis Thomas into a smart stop with his effort from the edge of the box.

Noel Hunt’s side began to apply more pressure to the Rovers defence – and were perhaps unlucky not to take the lead. Stevens raced through on goal and appeared to beat Thomas with his shot from 20-yards out, but it cannoned off the post and was cleared away from danger.

Stevens had a golden opportunity to put the visitors into the lead after being gifted the ball through on goal. But once again, the 20-year-old failed to hit the target – despite having the entirety of the goal to aim for from within the box.

Rovers grew into the encounter – and with ten minutes left on the clock, they managed to test Robins stopper Joe Fryer. From a tight-angle on the left flank, Aaron Collins guided his free-kick towards goal, but Fryer was on hand to tip the ball over the bar.

Moments before the break – and the home side almost managed to take a lead into half-time. Collins whipped an inch perfect corner into the box for Matty Stevens, who got a clean connection on his header goalward, but Fryer pulled out a superb reaction save to deny him.

It took until the hour mark for either side to force an opening in the second half – and it was the visitors who looked likely to break the deadlock. Jonny Smith threaded a pass through for Brett Pitman – who turned in the box and saw his effort palmed away from danger by Thomas.

Substitute Jayden Richardson could have put Mark Cooper’s charges in front with just ten minutes remaining. The Nottingham Forest loanee darted into the penalty area, before winning possession from Mathieu Baudry to test Fryer from close range, failing to convert the follow up.

Deep into injury time and the visitors secured their first points of the competition this season. Tom Broadbent rose the highest in the penalty area to nod beyond Thomas.

Forest Green XI: Thomas, Wilson (Covil 46), Sweeney, Stokes, Stevens, Collins, Cadden (Richardson 61), Allen, Evans, Whitehouse, March.

Unused subs: McGee, Young.

Swindon Town XI: Fryer, Baudry, Pitman, Smith, Iandolo (Broadbent 18), Smith, Odimayo, Curran, Stevens, Hunt, Haines.

Unused subs: Kovar, Caddis, Parsons, Giamattei, Cheshire, Holland.

Referee: Lee Swabey

Man of the Match: Chris Stokes