John Keeling scored the winner and ran the show as Canvey Island secured their first home win of the season, at the seventh attempt.
The Gulls overcame a Forest Green side, desperately short on confidence and relying far too much on hoof and hope.
Canvey's first win at Park Lane came despite the news that leading scorer Lee Boylan will be out for the rest of the year after he fractured his ankle in the midweek win over Stevenage.
The home side started in the best possible fashion when they were awarded a penalty after just six minutes when Rovers defender Darren Davies inexplicably handled a cross with no attackers near.
Gulls skipper Neil Gregory ignored the pressure and made no mistake from 12 yards.
It was a lead the home side managed to hold until six minutes before half-time in blustery conditions on the Essex coast.
The wind played a part in Forest Green's equaliser as Matt Gadsby hit a loose ball that swerved into the top corner of the goal from 35 yards with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Shocked by going in level despite dominating the first half, Canvey got themselves back on top four minutes after the break, when Keeling drilled a fine shot across Dean Williams in the visitors goal.
An entertaining game fizzled out in the second half as the lively Keeling tired, but he had already done enough to secure the points and a valuable first home win.