Sky Bet League Two

Swindon Town 1 Forest Green 0

SWINDON TOWN completed a league double over Forest Green as Luke Norris struck the only goal in a close-fought derby.

Norris pounced with 11 minutes to go to send Rovers back into the relegation zone.

Earlier, boss Mark Cooper made two changes to the team that beat Port Vale last weekend, Dayle Grubb was handed his first start and Haydn Hollis came in for debut after signing from Notts County this week.

The opening exchanges were short on quality – Norris spanking wide for Swindon.

Brad Collins showed strong hands to touch a Kwesi Anderson’s 20th-minute howitzer over after former Forest Green speedster Kaiyne Woolery slipped beyond Farrend Rawson.

Minutes later Rawson fell to the ground after a coming together with Ellis Iandolo. After lengthy on-pitch treatment, Rovers’ new signing from Derby County was stretchered off.

Swindon seemed to benefit from the five-minute delay as Rovers were forced to rejig their defence.

Coming more into the game, Town striker Norris drove into the box to create an opportunity for Keshi Anderson who drew an acrobatic save from Brad Collins.

Opportunities remain scant and Rovers had to wait until the 53rd minute to muster their first shot in anger – Reice Charles-Cook falling on a Christian Doidge hit. Seconds later Doidge was appealing for a penalty when Chris Robertson appeared to nudge Rovers’ hot-shot in the box.

Woolery skewed one wide from the edge of the box with 26 minutes left on the clock.

The influential Dayle Grubb almost conjured up a chance for Reuben Reid who was blocked by Matt Preston.

However, Swindon looked the more likely winners and Norris claimed the opener with 11 minutes to go. Brad Collins gloved an Anderson shot, but in the ensuing melee, Norris stabbed the ball home.

Doidge felt he had claims for a late penalty after going down in the box under a Ben Purkiss challenge after sub Keanu Marsh-Brown fashioned the chance.

RATINGS out of 5

Forest Green: B Collins **** Rawson *** Hollis *** Gunning **** Monthe ** Wishart *** L Collins *** Osbourne *** Grubb ***** Reid *** Doidge *** Subs: Laird *** (Rawson 28) Marsh-Brown ** (Grubb 75) Whittle (Wishart 88)

Subs not used: Brown ,Simpson, Pickering, Spurrier Bookings: Grubb 69, Wishart 86, Reid 87, Gunning 90

SWINDON TOWN: Charles-Cook, Preston, Robertson, Lancashire, Dunne, Norris, Iandolo, Woolery ( Gordon 76 ) , Knoyle (Mullin 76), Banks, Anderson ( Purkiss 83)

Subs not used: Goddard, Taylor, Henry, Brophy.

Bookings: Dunne 45 +6 Anderson 59 Mullin 82 Attendance: 7,062 Referee: Dean Whitehouse

COMING UP: Forest Green entertain Cambridge United in Sky Bet Two on Saturday, January 20; 3pm.