Last updated on .From the section League Two

Sammie Szmodics' first-half deflected strike proved the difference as Colchester United won a cagey affair at Forest Green.

The U's striker bagged his eighth goal of the season on 26 minutes as he watched the ball clip Rovers' Gavin Gunning to beat James Montgomery all ends up.

Szmodics' opener was the first meaningful strike of a cagey first 45 minutes and he was close to a second with four minutes of the first half to go, but this time Montgomery's strong glove thwarted the diminutive striker.

Rovers failed to muster a shot in anger in the first-half, and saw their penalty claims ignored on 56 minutes when substitute Theo Archibald took a tumble under the challenge of Ryan Jackson after Courtney Senior had squandered possession.

Montgomery was on his mettle to deny Szmodics after Mikael Mandron fashioned the opportunity.

As the clock ticked, Rovers' sub Reuben Reid had a goal ruled out for offside. Only a stunning save from Dillon Barnes denied Reid 71st minute parity after a fizzing Archibald cross.

Colchester remain third in the table, and Rovers remain 10th.

Match report supplied by the Press Association.