IT WAS lucky 13 for Forest Green as they dug deep to grind out a vital win against fellow strugglers Mansfield, writes Rob Iles.

Alex Lawless’ thunderous strike after 11 minute was enough to end their dismal run of 12 league games without a win but Terry Burton was the Forest Green hero as he produced a magnificent save to keep out Adnan Ahmed’s 61st minute penalty.

Rovers rode their luck at times as Mansfield dominated possession but they will be relieved to take a much needed three points as they aim to move away from the dreaded drop zone.

Boss Jim Harvey said: “For the position we were in, we showed a lot of guts and determination and there were a lot of big performances.”

“On Monday we had eight people training, ten on the treatment table and one ill so it’s been very difficult but fortunately we have come through and got a result.

“For me Mansfield have played better than any other side has against us this season.

“We had to dig in deep and I’m pleased we came out today with three points and a clean sheet.”

On five minutes Emile Sinclair’s angled through ball found a massive gap in the Forest Green defence but Nathan Arnold could only manage a weak shot straight at Burton from 20 yards as Jerry Gill closed him down.

Forest Green used target man Mike Symons effectively as they adopted a direct approach early on and from this route Josh Low dragged a left foot shot inches wide from just outside the box one minute before they took the lead.

Symons laid off a Jerry Gill throw to Alex Lawless who fired in a powerful left footed effort from 20 yards into the roof of the net.

Mansfield came agonisingly close to an equaliser seven minutes later as Arnold drifted in from the left flank and crossed for Jason Lee, whose header came back off the inside of the post before Rovers goalkeeper Terry Burton flicked the ball off the line.

Rovers almost doubled their lead just before the interval as Adie Moses only half cleared Low’s cross from the right and substitute Lee Fowler’s fizzing drive was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Paddy Gamble.

Harvey’s men started the second half brightly and after 54 minutes Symons was presented with a great chance from Low’s through ball but he dragged the ball wide from 15 yards.

Mansfield were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Emile Sinclair was caught from behind by Darren Jones after Ahmed’s through ball. Ahmed stepped up confidently and hit it firmly but Burton dived to his right and somehow tipped the ball onto the crossbar and then clung on as it came down again.

With 11 minutes remaining Arnold made a good run down the left and squared the ball for substitute Mark Stallard who hit the ball first time from 10 yards, but Burton made an instinct block to keep the ball out again and Rovers hung on comfortably in the end.

Forest Green Rovers: Burton, Gill, Jones, Kempson, Stonehouse, Low (Afful, 74), Lawless (Fowler, 39), Smith, Platt, Clist, Symons (Mohamed, 74). Subs not used: Robinson, Mangan.

Mansfield Town: Gamble, Silk, Moses ©, O’Hare, Jeannin, D’Laryea, Somner (O’Connor, 63), Ahmed, Sinclar, Arnold, Lee (Stallard, 63). Subs not used: Chanot, Hurren, Herriot.

SNJ star man: Terry Burton – Produced one of the best penalty saves you’ll ever see.

Verdict: It was effective rather than stylish from Forest Green but the win could prove to be a crucial turning point in their season.

Attendance: 872.

Ref: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)