Forest Green Rovers 0, Harriers 1

THE dream of the Football League took a step towards reality after a massively important win on Tuesday night.

The 458 Harriers fans who watched their team battle to the club’s first league victory at play-off rivals Forest Green must think this is their season.

The travelling army were superb throughout and they were given something to sing about by another thoroughly ruthless and totally committed display.

The Aggborough outfit had been waiting for a victory in this little part of Gloucestershire since 1998 when they beat Rovers in the Bob Lord Trophy.

Over the seasons, Forest Green have relished the chance to rain on Harriers’ parade, but this time the Reds turned the tables.

Anthony Malbon struck once again to ensure they leapt over the hosts to third place, further cementing their play-off credentials in the Blue Square Bet Premier and leaving them within striking distance of the top spot.

“It was a performance of potential league winners,” hailed skipper Kyle Storer.

“We’ve got 14 cup finals to go yet but this is another stepping stone.

“Not for one minute did we think this was going to be an easy game.

“Both teams were on a good run and overall we’ve shown the grit and determination that we haven’t had for the last couple of years.”

Rejuvenated Malbon scored a timely goal just as Forest Green were starting to crank up the pressure in the 26th minute.

Keeper Sam Russell was challenged in the air by Amari Morgan-Smith following a Marvin Johnson cross and the ball ricocheted off the burly centre-forward into the path of the red-hot hitman, who swept the ball into the back of the net.

Russell kept his side in the game when he dived desperately to claw away a bullet header from Josh Gowling.

However, the hosts pushed for a goal but lacked the cutting edge to carve open Harriers’ well-drilled back four. Gowling was superb throughout, snuffing out the threat of Rovers top-scorer James Norwood, who was more adept at winning free-kicks.

The 14-goal hitman could have levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time after being teed up by Matt Taylor but swept the ball over the bar.

Rovers continued to pummel Harriers in the second-half but on the rare occasion they breached the visitors, keeper Danny Lewis was in inspired form.

The keeper got both hands behind a strong free-kick from Yan Klukowski but his best save came in the 83rd minute, when he spread himself wide and blocked Taylor’s shot with his legs.

Winger Ricky Shakes also produced a diligent display at right back. He was in the side because of a groin injury to Lee Vaughan but he nearly capped a fine display by setting up a second goal in the 92nd minute.

The former Ebbsfleet man took a break from defending to drive down the right wing and found Danny Jackman, who curled in a superb left-footed effort which crashed off the inside of the post and bounced to safety.

But Harriers notched up a remarkable 13th clean sheet of the season on a night where every single player and Steve Burr’s management team deserve great credit.

Harriers: Lewis 8, Demetriou 7, Storer 8, Vincent 7 (Pearson 70), Malbon 7, Johnson 7, Pilkington 6 (Jackman 46), Shakes 8, Morgan-Smith 7 (Rowe 82), Dunkley 8, GOWLING 9. Subs not used: Williams, N Vaughan.

Forest Green: Russell, Hodgkiss, Stokes, Turley, Klukowski, Vieira, Taylor, Oshodi (Odubade 73), Asafu-Adjaye, Norwood (Wright 85), Green. Subs not used: Bulman, Rowe, Racine. Referee: Karl Evans (Lancashire). Attendance: 1,449 (458).