Forest Green Rovers 0 Aldershot Town 0

Last updated : 01 January 2005 By Footymad Previewer
In a game that was spoiled by heavy rain and a blustery wind, Forest Green Rovers claimed their fifth point in three matches to improve their chances of getting out of the relegation zone.

There were very few chances in the first half with the weather causing all sorts of problems for both sides. Rovers' only notable chance came after 19 minutes when Damon Searle's floating free-kick was just too far in front of Julian Alsop for the big striker to connect.

The second half picked up considerably with Aldershot's Steve Watson seeing his fizzing 30-yard drive well held by Steve Perrin.

The visitors were inches away from going in front on the hour. From a direct free-kick just outside the Forest Green area, former Rovers player Hugh McAuley sent a curling effort which beat Perrin but crashed against the left-hand post.

One minute later Forest Green were reduced to ten men when Alsop was shown a straight red card for an alleged elbow on Shots defender Toby Jinadu.

Eight minutes later Aldershot also found themselves a man down, Phil Warner, who had been booked earlier in the game, was given his marching orders after scything down Darren Davies.

Charlie Griffin was denied by the woodwork twice in the space of five minutes, the first a header from Scott Rogers' cross which looped on to the crossbar. The next, again from Rogers' cross, clipped the right-hand post before going wide. The game deserved a goal but both sides had to settle for a point.