A brilliant strike from Charlie McCann helped Forest Green Rovers pick up a crucial 1-0 victory against Tranmere Rovers at The New Lawn.

The long-range effort in additional time of the first half, along with some heroic second half defending, was enough to earn a vital three points.

It was a quiet start to the contest, but Forest Green looked the better of the two teams. Seven minutes in, a lovely backheel from Dom Thompson set Manny Osadebe away, and he fizzed in a brilliant ball across the box, but there was no-one to poke it home.

It remained a game of few chances for the next 20 minutes, with neither goalkeeper being tested.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Vicente Reyes was forced into action for the first time, and made a great save at his near post to deny Rob Apter.

With 36 minutes gone, a good run from Apter saw him cut across from the right-hand side and unleash a shot, which took a wicked deflection and forced Reyes into another fantastic stop.

Minutes later, Harvey Bunker had Forest Green’s first effort on target, and it nearly found the back of the net, but Luke McGee did well to deny the strike from 25 yards out.

It looked as if it would be all square heading into the break, but on the stroke of half-time, Forest Green took the lead. A beautiful build-up involving a number of Rovers players eventually ended up at the feet of McCann, who connected perfectly and arrowed the ball past a helpless McGee.

The visitors had the first go at goal in the second half, with Apter threading the ball through for Harvey Saunders to have a pop, but Reyes got down well to keep it out.

Like a large part of the first 45, it was the best part of half an hour with no notable chances for either team.

With just over 10 to play, Osadebe tried to double his side’s lead, but his shot lacked power and went straight into the arms of McGee.

In the 86th minute, the ball fell nicely for Reece McAlear to hit on the volley, but it cleared both the goal and the stadium.

A couple of minutes later, Ryan Inniss received a second yellow card, meaning Forest Green had to close out the game with 10 men.

Two minutes into an additional eight, Connor Jennings connected with a McAlear cross, but his header sailed over the bar.

60 seconds later, Apter had a shot from the edge of the area, but he dragged it wide of the mark.

Despite pressure from Tranmere in the dying seconds, Forest Green held strong and picked up a well deserved three points and a hard earned clean sheet.

Next up is the visit of Wrexham on Tuesday night, and you can get your tickets, here.

Forest Green: Reyes (G/K); Inniss, Keogh, Moore-Taylor (C); Thompson, McCann, Osadebe, Bunker (Holland 63’, Omotoye 90+6’), Robson (Bernard 63’); Doidge, McAllister (Johnson 89’)

Tranmere: McGee; O’Connor (J.Norris 74’), Davies (C), Turnbull, Wood; Apter, Walker (McAlear 62’), Hendry, Morris (L.Norris 62’); Jennings, Saunders (Hawkes 74’)