Christian Doidge took Forest Green's play-off challenge into his own hands as his brace helped Rovers come from behind to beat Crawley Town.

Crawley took the lead through Danny Bulman's wonderstrike before the visitors equalised in a poor first half.

The hosts had the better of the second half but Forest Green dug in and took advantage of a mistake by Filipe Morais to score a dramatic late winner.

Mark Cooper made just one change to the side that lost to MK Dons last week with Nathan McGinley coming in for Junior Mondal.

Rovers also switched to a 3-5-2 formation with George Williams playing alongside Christian Doidge up front.

Very little happened in the opening 20 minutes but Crawley were the side on the front foot.

The game was certainly in need of a bit of magic and it was provided by 40-year-old Danny Bulman who gave the hosts the lead in stunning style on 24 minutes.

He picked the ball up 25 yards out and unleashed a firecracker which flew straight into the top corner. Lewis Ward had no chance despite his best efforts.

Forest Green were fortunate not to be further behind three minutes later. Reece Grego-Cox got the better of Liam Shephard and found Lewis Young who only had the keeper to beat but his touch was poor. Ollie Palmer picked it up but his effort was blocked and Rovers got it clear.

That looked to have woke Rovers up and they responded well.

They equalised just nine minutes later when Brown slipped in a lovely ball into the path of Doidge who showed good composure to round the keeper and find find the back of the net.

It was Doidge's 10th Rovers goal of the season.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first. Crawley were probably edging it but neither side created anything to trouble either keeper.

Cooper brought on Junior Mondal to give Rovers a bit more energy and much needed dynamism.

Rovers have shot themselves in the foot on a number of occasions this season and they almost did when Gunning lost the ball in midfield which allowed Crawley to break. Panutche Camara drove forward and slipped in Palmer who had space in the area but he dragged his shot just wide to let Forest Green off the hook.

Crawley saw more of the ball in the second half and Rovers looked to play on the break.

They got some joy on 79 minutes when Brown burst forward, played a one-two with Winchester and fired in a shot just outside the box but it just went over the bar.

Despite this Crawley looked the more likely. Morais had a shot saved and Palmer had the chance to strike on the follow up but he fell on the ball.

The big moment came in the 88th minute as Crawley shot themselves in the foot when Morais gave the ball to Winchester just outside the box. He slid in Mondal who clipped a great ball into Doidge who nodded Rovers into the lead at the back post and it proved to be the winner.

It was smash and grab from Rovers but staying in the game and taking advantage of opposition mistakes is the mark of a team chasing promotion.

Forest Green remain sixth with the victory.