Forest Green Rovers earned their first victory of 2019 as an added time strike from Theo Archibald sealed all three points against Northampton Town.

George Williams opened the scoring after just two minutes but a second-half header from Sam Foley looked to have earned Northampton a point on the road.

Substitute Archibald had other ideas though as he fired a powerful strike past the Cobblers' stopper after 94 minutes.

After Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town, Mark Cooper named an unchanged side, although Paul Digby made a welcome return to the bench after a three-match suspension.

Forest Green’s 2019 got off to the perfect start as, just 61 seconds into the game, a Reece Brown cross found its way across the box and Williams was on hand to tap home his sixth goal in five games.

It looked to be heading for another afternoon of success for Williams and 15 minutes in he tried his luck again, this time firing a left-footed strike into the arms of David Cornell from outside the area.

As the first team to beat them this season, Forest Green were well aware of the threats that their visitors carried.

With a little over half an hour a dangerous looking build-up for the hosts was dealt with by Nathan McGinley as he shepherded the ball behind for a goal kick.

Williams was once again involved in the action with 35 minutes on the clock as he turned his man before firing an effort wide from 30 yards.

In search of a second goal before the break, Rovers looked to find a ball behind to Liam Shephard, but his effort was charged down by a combination of goalkeeper and defender.

The visitors were the stronger of the two sides coming out of the tunnel and it didn’t take long for them to find an equaliser as a dangerous cross into the area from the left was met by Foley who powered a nice header into the far corner of the net.

With a little more than 20 minutes to go, substitute Dayle Grubb looked to drive into the Northampton penalty area but he was well tackled.

A spell of chances was to follow for FGR as they looked to pull themselves back into the lead but nothing seemed to go in for them. The first chance came courtesy of Williams as he fired at goal from inside the area, but Cornell was on hand to smother.

Minutes later, Grubbs shot from range bounced back off the post before Williams’ effort was once again charged down by the keeper.

A late chance for the visitors could have one in as Foley tried to latch onto Dean Bowditch cross but couldn’t direct it inside the far post.

Forest Green Rovers XI: Montgomery, Shephard, James (c) (Digby 63’), Rawson, Winchester, Brown, Williams, Campbell (Archibald 69’), Gunning, McGinley (Grubb 63’), Mills

Unused subs: Thomas, Collins, Reid, Morris

Northampton Town XI: Cornell, Facey, Buchanan (c), Taylor, Hoskins, Foley, Williams (Bowditch 76’), Morias (van Veen 61’), Turnbull, Crooks (Bridge 90'), Williams

Unused subs: Coddington, Odoffin, Powell, Waters

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 2,909 (593 away)

Man of the Match: George Williams