Forest Green Rovers 1 Burton Albion 1

Last updated : 11 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Forest Green will feel they let two points slip from their grasp after being held 1-1 by Burton Albion.

In an entertaining game Forest Green - who led 1-0 at the break - dominated the second half only for Burton to equalise 12 minutes from time and snatch a point.

The game started off particularly scrappy for both sides, but it was Albion who settled the quicker after ten minutes having three opportunities in as many minutes as Glenn Kirkwood, Gary Twigg and Kirkwood, again, were foiled by Steve Perrin.

Against the run the of play Rovers came inches away from taking the lead and Darren Searle's in-swinging corner was headed against the left hand post by Neil Grayson.

Just before the half hour Burton keeper Matt Duke was forced to race out of his area to make a clearance and the loose ball fell to Jamie Moralee, but his attempted lob went wide.

Rovers went in front in injury time after Richard Kennedy's flick on fell to Grayson on the right wing and he cut inside before curling the ball from 20 yards over Duke into the far corner of the net.

Eight minutes into the second half Albion were reduced to ten men when Moralee sent Grayson clean through only for Barry Williams to bring him down in the box.

The referee instantly pointed to the spot and gave Williams his marching orders. Grayson stepped up to take the penalty only to see his weak attempt saved.

However, the referee gave him a second chance after encroaching in the area, but this time his drive down the centre was deflected onto the crossbar.

Rovers were made to pay for the penalty miss 12 minutes from the end when Burton Albion substitute Andy Ducros crossed the ball into the box and Twigg was left unmarked at the back post to head the ball into the net.

Forest Green almost snatched a late winner when Gareth Stoker found Martin Foster on the left wing but his low drive was tipped just wide of the left hand post by Duke.