Forest Green Rovers emerged victorious after a well fought battle at Brunton Park.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Ben Morris notched his first professional goal before Carl Winchester notched after 71 minutes.

It didn't take long for Carlisle United to respond though as Jamie Devitt fired home a penalty seven minutes later.

Morris was handed his first League start for Forest Green as Mark Cooper made three changes to the side that lost to Oxford United in the FA Cup on Tuesday as Matt Worthington and Ben Morris also came into the side, Reuben Reid, Tahvon Campbell and Theo Archibald dropping to the bench.

Forest Green started the encounter brightly, moving the ball around nicely for sustained periods but it was the hosts who had the first chance of the afternoon. Hallam Hope turning on the edge of the area before firing wide across goal.

With the 15-minute mark approaching, Morris payed back his manager’s faith, the young striker being the first to react as Reece Brown’s deflected shot squirmed through, Morris gratefully lapping up the chance and tucking home underneath the keeper.

Morris, former England U19 international, again proved his worth with 31 minutes on the clock as he chased down Brown’s through ball before seeing his goal-bound effort blocked.

Despite a spell of possession towards the end of the half, Carlisle couldn’t create a clear opportunity and had to settle for pop-shots around the penalty area, none troubling James Montgomery.

As the game approached the hour mark, Brown continued to dominate and soon had a chance of his own, driving towards the area before shifting the ball to his right and firing at goal. His effort was well saved by Adam Collin.

The hosts went close as the 70th minute approached, Gary Liddle heading goalwards from a corner, but Lloyd James was on hand to head the looping effort off the line.

With 71 minutes on the clock Forest Green doubled their lead through a great move. Montgomery’s goal kicked was flicked on to Morris by Brown and as the latter got the return, he fed the ball through to Winchester who slotted home inside the area.

Less than 10 minutes later, the hosts were back in the game as James was adjudged to have handled the ball as it came in from a corner. Devitt stepped up and confidently fired the spot kick home to Montgomery’s right.

That wasn't it for the action at Brunton Park as, deep into added time the hosts threw everything including the goalkeeper at FGR. With a corner swinging into the area, Montgomery did well to half punch clear before Macauley Gillesphey's slow moving effort curled over all the heads in the area and skimmed off the outside of the post.

Attendance: 4166 (116 away)

Man of the Match: Ben Morris

Referee: Carl Boyeson

Carlisle United XI: Collin, Liddle, Gerrard, Jones, Hope, Devitt, Gillesphey, Slater, Yates, Sowerbury, Nadesan

On the bench: Gray, Glendon, Bennett (Hope 69’), Campbell, Etuhu (Jones 63’), Adewusi, McCarron

Forest Green XI: Montgomery, James, Rawson, Winchester, Brown, Gunning, McGinley, Digby, Worthington, Morris, Mills

On the bench: Sanchez, Williams (Brown 83’), Campbell, Pearce, Archibald (Worthington 74’), Reid (Morris 74’)