BLOODY, but unbowed, Forest Green striker Christian Doidge cut a delighted figure after his sumptuous strike gleaned the points in the Gloucestershire derby.

Match-winner Doidge, who picked up a couple of stitches in a head wound, thumped home in the 43rd minute, his 22nd goal of the season, striking the only goal in a 1-0 victory over county foes Cheltenham Town.

Doidge said: “That’s the best goal I have scored this season and I knew it was going in as soon as I struck it.

“I had the perfect view as it went in and then went to celebrate with the fans. The place was absolutely rocking and it felt good to win with such a special goal.”

Doidge celebrated in front of the 700 plus Forest Green fans and the likeable Welshman paid tribute to their vociferous backing.

“The fans pay a lot of money to travel and they’ve not had a lot to cheer, so I’m glad we were able to give them a special moment like that.”

Forest Green can all but rubber-stamp their League Two survival with a home win against bottom of the table Chesterfield on Saturday and Doidge insists Rovers are nearly safe with four games to go and six points above the bottom two.

“We’re nearly safe now and beating Cheltenham will give us the confidence to go on and finish the job.”

Watch Christian Doidge's post-match interview