Forest Green Rovers made it three wins from four in League Two as they ran out 1-0 winners over Colchester United at The New Lawn.

It was a Luke Prosser own goal that proved the difference on a hot afternoon in Nailsworth, the Colchester skipper turning James Morton’s cross into his own net just after the half-hour mark.

Mark Cooper handed a full debut to last weekend’s goalscorer Jack Aitchison, the forward starting alongside Matty Stevens.

The Rovers boss also selected Dom Bernard in the right-back role following an injury to Kevin Dawson, while Liam Shephard made a long-awaited return to the bench after his surgery.

The first real talking point of the afternoon saw Stevens break into the left of the Colchester box before Tom Eastman’s heavy challenge was adjudged a fair one by referee Will Finnie, despite the fervent appeals from the Rovers front man.

If not for a fantastic double save from U’s stopper Dean Gerken, Rovers would have found themselves in front after 17 minutes, the goalkeeper denying Aitchison at the first attempt before springing back to his feet to push Kyle Taylor’s half volley over the bar.

Colchester tried to work their way into the game with a good spell of possession, but the Forest Green backline held them at arms-length, Lewis Thomas being called into action to gather a loose through-ball with a little less than half an hour gone.

Just four minutes late, Rovers took the lead.

James Morton’s deep cross from the left looked to be dropping to Kyle Taylor at the back post, but U’s captain Luke Prosser beat him to the ball and finished into his own net.

The home side could have doubled their lead just seconds after the restart, Udoka Godwin-Malife pickpocketing Ryan Clampin before finding a square ball to Stevens who was denied by Gerken at full stretch.

Stevens had an excellent chance to double his side’s advantage with 38 minutes on the clock as he pinched the ball from goalkeeper Gerken on the edge of the area before firing a lobbed effort just over the crossbar on the spin.

Thomas was called upon to make his first save of note with two minutes of the half to play, the young stopper spreading himself well to deny Luke Gambin on the angle.

Winchester carved a wonderful opening for the hosts with four minutes of the second half gone as he drove straight through the heart of Colchester United before laying off to Taylor who’s prodded effort rolled agonisingly between a host of green shirts.

Aitchison’s excellent first touch sent him scampering down the left with 54 minutes on the clock, his cut-back presenting Mills with a chance, but he zipped an effort just over the crossbar from the corner of the box.

The visitors went close with an hour played, Courtney Senior driving a low effort just wide of the far post from the edge of the area.

Twenty minutes from time it took a great block to keep the scores level, Brandon Wiredu turning on the right before firing a ball into Frank Nouble whose flick was denied.

It took some fantastic Farrend Rawson defending to help Rovers hold onto the three points, the defender darting into action to deny Theo Robinson after Rovers lost possession.

Forest Green XI: Thomas, Bernard, Rawson, Winchester, Stevens, Morton (Adams 84’), Kitching, Godwin-Malife (Shephard 73’), Mills (c), Taylor (Mondal 60’), Aitchison

Unused subs: Wollacott, Grubb, Allen, McGinley

Colchester United XI: Gerken, Jackson, Lapslie, Prosser, Senior, Norris, Eastman, Clampin (Wiredu 66’), Stevenson, Gambin (Poku 77’), Nouble (Robinson 74’)

Unused subs: Ross, Sowunmi, Cowan-Hall, Chilvers

Referee: Will Finnie

Attendance: 2,758 (253 away)

Man of the Match: Jack Aitchison

Match Sponsor: Renishaw

Matchball Sponsor: Smyths Toys

Next up: Carlisle United, Tuesday, September 17