First half goals from Charlie McCann and Christian Doidge were enough to earn Forest Green Rovers a 2-1 victory over Sutton United at The New Lawn.

Ahead of Rovers’ National League clash, Steve Cotterill named two changes from the side that drew at York City seeing Doidge and Tom Knowles return to the starting XI.

It was fierce first half from Rovers which started inside the opening 60 seconds when Tom Knowles fired an effort just over the bar.

McCann tried an audacious chip on 11 minutes, but it was dealt with well by Jack Sims in the U’s goal.

Rovers early pressure paid off on 29 minutes when McCann drove into the U’s area before lacing the ball into the far corner, giving Rovers a deserved lead.

Liam Sercombe almost doubled the lead with a fierce strike on 33 minutes, but Sims was down well before the goalkeeper did well again just moments later to deny a Knowles driven effort.

But the lead was doubled on 36 minutes when a Jamie Robson cross was smartly turned home by the chest of Doidge inside the six-yard box.

Robson almost got himself on the scoresheet two minutes later when Jordon Garrick played the full-back down the side before unleashing a low strike which was smartly stopped by Sims.

The U’s sparked into life at the beginning of the second period and pulled a goal back on 56 minutes through Will Davies who picked out the bottom corner from distance.

A flurry of chances came at the Rovers goal then starting on 60 minutes when Siju Odelusi saw a strike whistle over the bar before he saw a closer effort was lifted over the woodwork five minutes later.

Rovers are back in action on Saturday as we host Southend United at The New Lawn followed by Forest Green Women’s clash with Pucklechurch Sports Ladies.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Starting XI - Mrozek (GK), Tozer© (Bunker 53’), Inniss, Osadebe, McCann (Fleming 90+4’), Doidge (Quigley 74’), Sercombe, Knowles (Cardwell 74’), Robson, May, Garrick (Long 90+2’)

Unused subs - Searle (GK), Omotoye

Player of the Match - Charlie McCann

Attendance - 1,275 (31 away)