Forest Green Rovers 5 Scarborough 1

Last updated : 11 February 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Forest Green Rovers boosted their Conference survival hopes with a second five-goal home performance of the New Year.

The Gloucestershire side stamped its authority on this relegation battle with two goals inside the first four minutes.

And despite losing opening goal scorer Julian Alsop before half-time through injury, the home team went on to make the game safe with three further strikes.

Scarborough boss Neil Redfearn believes the Yorkshire club can avoid the drop to Nationwide North. But many Seadogs fans will not share the same optimism after this battering.

Certainly David McNiven's late goal was of no consolation.

Not that Foresters boss Gary Owers will get too carried away by this result.

His team stuck five past Altrincham last month but have been inconsistent since, including an FA Trophy exit at the hands of Nationwide North leaders Stafford Rangers.

Alsop needed just over a minute to fire Green ahead and Senegal star Abdou Sall doubled the tally after four minutes.

A crucial third goal arrived just before half-time. Rob Atkinson fouled Jonathan Hayes and leading scorer Paul Wanless took his tally to 11 for the season with the resulting penalty.

Man of the match Hayes deservedly got on the scoresheet with 11 minutes left before Bruno Teixeira rounded things off in the 88th minute to avenge their defeat to Scarborough last September.