DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2

FOREST GREEN 1

FOREST GREEN’S automatic promotion hopes took a hit at promotion rivals Dagenham & Redbridge.

Rovers looked to have grabbed a point when former Dagenham striker Christian Doidge pulled his side level with 10 minutes to go, but Scott Doe broke hearts with an 89th-minute winner.

There will still be plenty more twists and turns to go, Rovers’ title ambitions will need a Lincoln City implosion, with eleven games to go.

Earlier, Rovers named an unchanged team, but added Fabien Robert to the bench in place of the unwell Jake Gosling. Meanwhile, Keanu Marsh-Brown (thigh) was again missing.

The match started in a high-octane atmosphere, due in part to the large and vociferous 179 Forest Green following.

The travelling fans roared Rovers on, but it was fourth-placed Dagenham & Redbridge who started brightly – Sam Russell forced into an early plunging save.

But it was Rovers who should have taken a 13th-minute lead. Former Dagger Doidge picked the pocket of goalkeeper Elliott Johnson, but strike partner Kaiyne Woolery could only find defender Scott Doe on the line.

Dagenham were culpable themselves. A towering free header from giant striker Oliver Hawkins dropped over the bar from a deep Jordan Maguire-Drew cross.

Dagenham were asking all the questions and only a stunning glove from Russell denied a Jack Sheppard howitzer.

Rovers looked rattled as Dagenham bossed it. A sublime Maguire-Drew curler saw Russell glove his hit onto the bar to deny the home side with nine minutes of the first-half to go.

Boss Mark Cooper made a tactical tweak at the break, with Liam Noble moving from his advanced midfield role and Darren Carter slotting in behind Doidge and Woolery.

And it was Rovers who carved out an early second-half chance – Woolery delivering across the box, but the spinning ball failed to drop for Doidge.

However, it was Dagenham who drew first blood – Maguire- Drew touching home a Fejiri Okenabirhie cross on 53 minutes.

Cooper had seen enough and made a double sub on the hour – Marcus Kelly coming on for Dan Wishart and Omar Bugiel replacing Carter.

Five minutes later Cooper played his last card, Fabien Robert coming on for Rob Sinclair.

Rovers were starting to turn the screw as the clock ticked, and the pressure told - Noble picked out Doidge, who glanced home his 19th goal of the season, with 10 minutes to go.

But Rovers’ hopes were dashed with a minute to go – Kelly gave away a free-kick. Frankie Raymond arrowed over a set-play for Doe to bundle in.

Rovers tried to rescue a point and went close in added time - Noble hitting the side-netting with his free-kick.

Forest Green: Russell 7, Bennett 6, Ellis 6, Pinnock 8 Wishart 5 (Kelly 6, 60); Sinclair 6 (Robert 6, 65); Cooper 6, Carter 5 (Bugiel 6, 60); Noble 6; Doidge 6, Woolery 6.

Subs not used:Traore, Wedgbury.

Attendance:1,459.

Away fans: 179.

Star Man:Ethan Pinnock