Salford return to winning ways with narrow victory at Forest Green

Posted Sunday, January 19, 2020 by PA

Michael O’Connor marked his Salford debut with a second-half winner to send Forest Green out of the play-off places as Graham Alexander’s side finished the game with nine men in a narrow 2-1 Sky Bet League Two victory.

Signed during the week from Lincoln, O’Connor was on target as he nodded his 54th-minute header beyond goalkeeper Adam Smith.

Earlier, Salford got off to a blistering start – Ibou Touray watching his innocuous free-kick float beyond Smith to open the scoring with just three minutes on the clock.

Josh March marked his home league debut with a predatory finish just eight minutes later. Liam Kitching’s buccaneering run and cute pass to Dom Bernard was flicked on by Junior Mondal for the predatory March to stab home.

Rovers survived a heart-in-the-mouth moment on the half-hour as Farrend Rawson sent Smith short for Ashley Hunter to nip in and fire his shot onto the foot of the post.

The visitors regained the lead after 54 minutes as O’Connor rose the highest to nod home.

Salford’s Richie Towell was handed a second yellow after 74 minutes after handling a Bernard cross and boss Alexander was cautioned with nine minutes to go.

Forest Green substitute Aaron Collins hit the post with seven minutes remaining, while – deep into injury time – Ashley Hunter was booked again as Salford finished with nine men.

Prior to kick-off, a minute’s applause was held to mark the untimely passing of Forest Green Under-18s manager Chris Barker, who was previously an esteemed former professional footballer, serving the likes of Barnsley, Cardiff and QPR.