FOREST GREEN 0

NORTH FERRIBY 1

Forest Green, the world’s first vegan football club, unveiled new broccoli and carrot print football kits for next season in an April Fools’ quip, but it was basement boys North Ferriby who had the last laugh.

Rovers’ title dreams went up in smoke as Reece Thompson’s 68th-minute header gave Steve Housman’s side a mathematical chance of beating the drop.

In only Rovers’ second home defeat of the season, Forest Green boss Mark Cooper will now be hoping his side can find some form ahead of the play-offs.

Rovers were dealt a pre-match blow with captain and midfield lynchpin Liam Noble forced out with an ankle injury.

Cooper opted for a change of formation, drafting in Jake Gosling and opting for a back three, including Wrexham loanee Curtis Tilt.

Charlie Cooper and Marcus Kelly were handed wing-back roles with Fabien Robert and Jake Gosling being named in the number ten positions behind striker Christian Doidge.

Rovers started on the front-foot. Gosling was denied by Ferriby keeper Owen Evans after a Kelly cross opened up the opportunity.

Moments later Doidge thought he had earned his side a penalty when Ben Middleton clipped him.

Rovers were predictably bossing it – Drissa Traore releasing Cooper, who arrowed a ball across for Doidge to see his stab blocked.

For all Rovers possession it was Ferriby who almost got their noses in front on 20 minutes. Sam Russell did well to parry a point-blank Ryan Farrowfield strike and in a ping-pong moment it was left to Traore to spare the blushes with a headed clearance off the line from Robbie Tinkler.

Ferriby put everyone behind the ball as Rovers played keep ball.

Superb play involving Robert and Doidge carved an opening for Gosling, who failed to keep his shot down with just Evans to beat as the net rippled in anticipation.

Five minutes before the break Robert turned and smacked one against the post as Rovers looked to break the first-half stalemate.

Only last-gasp defending from Mark Gray blunted a chance for Doidge in the opening seconds of the second-half after Rob Sinclair and Kelly linked.

Cooper turned to his bench and Dan Wishart made a quick impact – feeding Doidge who turned and forced a parried save from Evans.

Rovers were culpable - sub Omar Bugiel and Doidge miskicking in front of goal.

Doidge then missed a sitter – swiping his foot over the ball from a Bugiel cross.

Rovers were stung on 68 minutes. In a rare attacking foray, Danny Emerton cut the ball back for Thompson to glance home.

Rovers huffed and puffed, but sub Kaiyne Woolery fizzed wide as did Doidge as Rovers’ scant hopes of the title faded.

FOREST GREEN: ( 3-2-2-1): Russell 6; Bennett 6, Ellis 6, Tilt 6; Traore 6 (Woolery 75, 6), Sinclair 7; Cooper 6, Kelly 6 (Wishart 61, 6); Robert 6,(Bugiel 6, 68) Gosling 6, Doidge 6.

Subs not used: Monthe, Carter.

NORTH FERRIBY: (4-4-1-1): Evans 7; Topliss 6, Middleton 7, Gray 6, Hare; Tinkler 7, Oliver 7 (Cooke 88), Fallowfield 6 ( Keyi 59, 6), Dixon 7; Emerton 7; Thompson 7, ( Cosgrove 78, 6).

Subs not used: Bell, Bolton.

Star Man: Rob Sinclair.

ATT:1,709.