FOREST Green Rovers celebrated one of the greatest days in their history as they reached the FA Cup third round for the first time.

Jonathon Smith recovered from illness the night before to give them the lead during the first half before Josh Low doubled their advantage on 56 minutes to give Rovers a thoroughly deserved victory over League Two high-flyers Rochdale.

Jim Harvey's men were the better side in every department and once they got a two-goal cushion they held on comfortably courtesy of a tremendous rearguard display.

Forest Green could have gone in front inside 10 seconds when the pacey Andy Mangan beat Rochdale goalkeeper Sam Russell to Simon Clist's through ball but his touch took him too wide and he was unable to find a Rovers shirt in the middle.

Rochdale threatened for the first time on 11 minutes when Adam Le Fondre flicked on Russell's ball forward but Ciaran Toner blazed over from 15 yards.

Rovers took the lead after 27 minutes when Paul Stonehouse put in a low hard cross from the left, Low fooled the Rochdale defence with a dummy, and Smith arrived at the back post to side-foot home from ten yards.

Three minutes later Low released Mangan with a great through ball but Russell was off his line quickly to save at his feet.

On 38 minutes a long pass from Rovers captain Lee Fowler released Andy Mangan, who shrugged off Marcus Holness down the left flank before cutting into the box but his shot was crucially blocked by Rochdale skipper Rory McArdle.

Forest Green should have doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when Mangan was found unmarked in the box from Jerry Gill's cross but he headed wide from ten yards.

Rochdale tested Forest Green through a series of Clark Keltie corners and Lee Thorpe saw a header cleared off the line by Paul Stonehouse.

One minute later Fowler released Low with a lovely ball down the right flank, and the midfielder on-loan from Cheltenham Town beat Russell with an exquisite chip from 15 yards.

Mangan almost added a third on 63 minutes but Russell made an athletic save to keep out his header after Gill's cross. Thorpe had a firm header on target saved comfortably by Rovers goalkeeper Terry Burton with eight minutes left as Rovers held on with ease.

Forest Green (4-4-1-1): Burton, Gill, Jones, Kempson, Stonehouse, Low (Thomas, 78), Fowler, Smith, Platt (Rigoglioso, 90), Clist, Mangan (Mohamed, 73). Subs not used: Robinson, Afful, Preece, McDonald.

Goals: Smith (27), Low (56).

Rochdale (4-4-2): Russell, Ramsden, Holness, McArdle, Kennedy, Buckley (Jones, 64), Higginbottom (Shaw, 46), Toner, Keltie, Le Fondre, Thorpe. Subs not used: Stanton, Thompson, Rundle, D’Laryea, Spencer.

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxford) Attendance: 1,715.s SNJ star man: Lee Fowler – Broke up play well, helping Rovers win the midfield battle which was the foundation for their win.

Verdict: Rovers fans will be wondering why their side can’t play like this every week as they would certainly not be in the relegation zone of the Blue Square Premier if they did.