Match report: Salford City 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

Gary Bowyer’s 50th game in charge sees the spoils shared between Salford and top of the table Forest Green Rovers.

In-form Salford went into the game unbeaten in their last four whereas Forest Green Rovers, who started the game 10 points clear at the top of League Two, had not won in their last four matches.

Salford opened the scoring when a beautiful cross from captain Jason Lowe found Matt Smith who comfortably nodded home from close range.

The goal was a wake up call for Forest Green who started to look dangerous through swift attacking football and an abundance of corners. However the Salford backline, in particular Theo Vassell, did well to prevent any immediate threat to Tom King’s goal.

Smith had a few loose claims for penalties waved away by the referee, Declan Bourne, who saw nothing in it despite some shirt grabbing from the Forest Green defence.

The game was paused momentarily at the end of the first half after the Ammies goalkeeper King alerted the referee that a fan behind his goal was struggling, luckily paramedics and medical staff were on hand to tend to the fan and he was soon back on his feet.

The man is back on his feet to a chorus of applaud from around the stadium. Well done to the fans behind the goal and medical teams for acting so quickly👏

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) March 5, 2022

Forest Green started well in the second half and it was not long before they had a goal to show for it. A low cross from marauding wing back Kane Wilson met Matthew Stevens who was able to score his 21st league goal of the season.

Substitute Luke Bolton, who was brought on to replace another sub in Conor McAleny, came close to restoring the home side’s lead with a good piece of play however he fired wide of Luke McGee’s goal.

Both sides had chances to win it in injury time, Jamille Matt looked destined to score as he found himself one on one with King, however Jordan Turnbull made a last ditch tackle to prevent all three points heading back to Gloucestershire.

In the end the points were shared at the Peninsula Stadium as Salford extended their unbeaten run to five games.

Despite taking a point from the league leaders, Ammies boss Gary Bowyer admitted that it feels like two points dropped rather than one gained.

Speaking after the match, Bowyer said: “We’ve got a dressing room that’s disappointed that we’ve drawn with the league leaders.

“We’re disappointed with their goal, it looked offside but we should have still cut out the cross.”

Bowyer was also eager to praise the mighty defensive efforts of Vassell, saying: “He was magnificent, he’s been terrific since he’s come into the club and he was really good today.”