Match ends, Tranmere Rovers 1, Forest Green Rovers 0.
TranmereTranmere Rovers1Forest GreenForest Green Rovers0
A stunning Ollie Banks strike gave Tranmere a slender lead after the first leg of a fiery League Two play-off semi-final with 10-man Forest Green.
Gavin Gunning was dismissed after 15 minutes for kicking out at Jay Harris.
Ten minutes later the hosts made the extra man count when Banks moved into space and smashed in a glorious 25-yard shot via the underside of the bar.
Tranmere's top scorer James Norwood had four good chances to extend the lead but Forest Green held out.
Norwood could easily have been dismissed before Gunning saw red, the division's leading marksman lucky to escape yellow cards for two rash challenges.
But he then went close to adding to the lead, first seeing a shot deflected just wide, then blazing wildly over from close range before shooting just off target from a right-wing cross.
The visitors, who won both league meetings this season, posed a threat on the break, notably when Christian Doidge dragged a first-half shot just wide.
Tranmere remained the more likely scorers with Norwood going close late on, but they were unable to add to their lead heading into the second leg in Gloucestershire on Monday.
The Merseyside club are bidding to return to League One for the first time since 2014, while Forest Green have never featured in the third tier.
Line-ups
Tranmere
- 1Davies
- 14Caprice
- 4Nelson
- 6Monthe
- 3Ridehalgh
- 28BanksSubstituted forGilmourat 76'minutes
- 19MorrisSubstituted forSmithat 62'minutes
- 8Harris
- 17Perkins
- 11Jennings
- 10Norwood
Substitutes
- 2Buxton
- 5McNulty
- 18Smith
- 22Gilmour
- 25Pilling
- 27Pringle
- 29Dagnall
Forest Green
- 34Ward
- 2Shephard
- 6Rawson
- 19McGinley
- 23Mills
- 7Winchester
- 16GunningBooked at 15mins
- 25MondalSubstituted forCollinsat 32'minutes
- 10BrownSubstituted forDigbyat 88'minutes
- 8GrubbSubstituted forWilliamsat 66'minutes
- 9Doidge
Substitutes
- 4James
- 5Collins
- 11Williams
- 13Montgomery
- 20Digby
- 21McCoulsky
- 22Godwin-Malife
- Referee:
- John Busby
- Attendance:
- 9,579
Match Stats
Home TeamTranmereAway TeamForest Green
- Possession
- Home62%
- Away38%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home3
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away2
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 1, Forest Green Rovers 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Christian Doidge (Forest Green Rovers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by George Williams with a cross.
Post update
Foul by David Perkins (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
George Williams (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Forest Green Rovers. Paul Digby replaces Reece Brown.
Post update
Corner, Tranmere Rovers. Conceded by Liam Shephard.
Post update
Offside, Forest Green Rovers. Lewis Ward tries a through ball, but Christian Doidge is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Johnny Smith (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Joseph Mills (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Christian Doidge (Forest Green Rovers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Reece Brown with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Forest Green Rovers. Conceded by Harvey Gilmour.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Reece Brown (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by George Williams.
Post update
Attempt missed. Emmanuel Monthe (Tranmere Rovers) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high. Assisted by Sid Nelson.
Post update
Foul by Johnny Smith (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
George Williams (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Harvey Gilmour replaces Oliver Banks.
Post update
Attempt saved. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emmanuel Monthe.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Carl Winchester (Forest Green Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
