Dan Sweeney’s towering second-half header earned League Two leaders Forest Green a 1-0 win over rock-bottom Scunthorpe.

Sweeney struck in the 75th minute to end United’s resistance and earn Rovers a second successive victory following a seven-match winless run.

Scunthorpe had earlier belied their lowly position and mustered the first shot in anger as Hayden Hackney thumped a shot against Luke McGee’s post from the edge of the box.

Rovers were then dealt a blow in the 15th minute when top scorer Matty Stevens limped off.

Despite that setback, Rovers gained a foothold but were denied by Iron keeper Rory Watson who clawed a Nicky Cadden free-kick over.

Watson was beaten when Stevens’ replacement Josh March fired in a shot, but the ball smashed against the crossbar and stayed out.

Moments later Watson kept out an Ebou Adams strike before denying March and then producing a flying save from Cadden’s free-kick as Rovers turned up the pressure.

After the break, a superb double save by McGee kept the game at deadlock, the former Portsmouth keeper thwarting Tyrese Sinclair and Liam Feeney.

At the other end, Watson remained alert to block Sweeney’s close-range stab.

It was beginning to look as if the leaders would be frustrated but they found the breakthrough with 15 minutes left when Sweeney nodded in from Cadden’s free-kick.

Watson denied Jake Young with his feet as Rovers cantered home.

The win moved Rovers onto 75 points - the most they've ever gained in a League Two season. They remain four points clear of second-placed Exeter and are nine points above fourth-placed Northampton with eight games to go.

Forest Green boss Rob Edwards felt his side could have made life easier for themselves but admitted victory was all that mattered as they edged closer to promotion.

“We had some good chances to make it a little easier, but it doesn’t matter at this stage of the season, so I’m pleased to get over the line and get to a record points haul for the club,” said Edwards, who was also thrilled to see defender Sweeney net a valuable first goal for the club

“Not many would have money on big Sweens getting the winner and it was a really good header and I’m delighted for him – he gives us bags of personality,” he said.

Rovers were dealt an early blow when Stevens hobbled off, but Edwards lauded his replacement Josh March.

Edwards said: “It’s too early to assess Matty Stevens, but I thought Josh March was outstanding when he came on and I had no hesitation in bringing him on.”