A determined Forest Green Rovers performance proved too much for Crewe Alexandra as the hosts emerged 1-0 victors and moved into the play-off places for Christmas.

Joseph Mills' strike just before the break was the difference after a well contested second half with chances at both ends.

There were two changes to the starting line-up from the team that started the abandoned game against Mansfield Town.

Mark Cooper was forced to bring James Montgomery back with Robert Sanchez sustaining a hamstring injury in training, while George Williams came in to replace Dayle Grubb, who dropped to the bench.

The game started slowly, neither side able to get a firm foothold on proceeding throughout large portions of the first half.

With 28 minutes on the clock a dangerous looking break saw Reuben Reid drive forward for the hosts, but his ball through to Carl Winchester just got away from the stretching Northern Irishman.

On his return to the side, George Williams was causing some trouble for the Railwaymen back-line and on one of his drives into the box, the Crewe defender will have been glad to see his deflection go wide of the post for a corner.

With pressure building towards the end of the first half, a loose ball dropped for Mills on the edge of the area and the full-back fired a low drive into the back of the net via a deflection from Crewe captain George Ray.

Just after the 60-minute mark a good break from Forest Green looked to set Williams away but his pass to strike-partner Reuben Reid was cut out. Breaking quickly, the visitors looked to level but James Jones’ effort flew over.

Shortly before the 70-minute mark Rovers went close to doubling their lead but Reid’s effort on the angle stuck the post before substitute Dayle Grubb’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Perry Ng.

A late free-kick situation for Crewe looked to cause trouble for the hosts but the initial effort stuck the wall before a second shot was cleared off the line by Farrend Rawson.

A late spell of pressure from Crewe looked threatening but didn’t break through a resolute FGR backline.

Forest Green Rovers XI: Montgomery, Shephard, James, Rawson, Winchester, Brown (Archibald 72), Williams (Grubb 63’), Gunning, McGinley, Mills, Reid (Campbell 82').

Unused subs: Thomas, Collins, Worthington, Morris.

Crewe XI: Garratt, Ng, Pickering, Ray, Jones, Miller (Reilly 63’), Bowery, Ainley, Nolan, Wintle, Whelan (Green 63’).

Unused subs: Richards, Porter, Dale, Kirk, Hunt.

Referee: Matthew Donohue

Attendance: 2,388 (166 away)

Man of the Match: Farrend Rawson