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Ten-man Forest Green were forced to settle for another point at home after a Tom Pope penalty, writes Noah Dougherty.

Rovers took the lead through Carl Winchester after 15 minutes but a 73rd minute penalty and a red card for Farrend Rawson meant FGR’s first home win of the season will have to wait.

Forest Green manager Mark Cooper said: “We didn’t play as well as we have done.

“We turned the ball over too many times when in possession, and our better players at that – or more technical players should I say – and we gave Port Vale impetus we didn’t need to give them.

“That’s four times now we’ve been 1-0 up and not won the game so we need to learn how to do that quickly.”

(Image: Eloisa Wildsmith Photography)

Although Forest Green looked slightly more dangerous going forward in the opening exchanges, it was the visitors who went the closest inside the first 10 minutes.

After Robert Sanchez was forced to palm away a shot from outside the area, a second effort came in which striker Pope flicked just wide of the post.

Five minutes later FGR took the lead with their first real chance of the game as Joseph Mills whipped an excellent free-kick from the right-hand side and Winchester was on hand to powerfully head home the bouncing ball at the back post.

Port Vale seemed to kick into life with 20 minutes to play and after 72 minutes they had a golden chance to level up the scores.

(Image: Eloisa Wildsmith Photography)

Substitute Ricky Miller raced into the area and, with Rawson trying to make a challenge, the referee pointed to the spot.

As would be expected, Pope powerfully smashed the ball high into the net leaving Sanchez no chance.

Minutes later, FGR were dealt another blow as Rawson tried to prevent a Vale counter attack but his challenge was rash and mistimed and the referee had no option to send him for an early bath.

Both sides pushed to find a winner and 90 minutes on the clock Rovers almost found one as Reid did well to hold the ball up before setting it to Dayle Grubb on the edge of the area but the midfielder’s effort flashed just wide.