Forest Green 2 Gravesend 1

Last updated : 14 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

A goal in each half by Kayode Odejayi and Neil Grayson grabbed Rovers their second win of the season.

This win is their first at home despite Gravesend grabbing a consolation goal 15 minutes from time.

A scrappy first 10 minutes insured there were no positive attempts on either goal, with the only effort coming Gravesend's way with Steve McKimm firing wide of the Rovers left hand post.

Then in the 18th minute, Rovers Martin Foster found Odejayi on the left wing and the Nigerian striker cut inside past two defenders before superbly sending a curling shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

Gravesend should have been on level terms eight minutes before the interval when Jimmy Jackson's left-wing cross found top scorer Che Stadhart unmarked but his free header went wide.

Rovers Carl Heggs found himself in the same situation 13 minutes into the second half when Alan McLoughlin's deep free-kick in to the Gravesend penalty area found Heggs only for him to head the ball wide from close range.

Just after the hour, Odejayi was played through the Gravesend defence only to be brought down in the area by Craig Wilkins with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Grayson, who only a minute earlier came on as a substitute to fire the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Seventeen minutes from time, Gravesend had a golden chance to grab a goal back when a long throw into the Forest Green area bounced through the Rovers defence to Tostao Kwashi who put the ball over the bar from less than five yards out.

However, less than a minute later a deep cross was fumbled by Steve Perrin and Akpo Sodje ran home the loose ball.

Despite loosing their two goal advantage, Rovers managed to keep their heads up with Alex Sykes,Grayson and Odejayi all forcing saves out of Gravesend keeper Paul Wilkerson with the match finishing 2-1