Matt Taylor scored a goal in each half as Forest Green beat Lincoln and moved to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table.

The striker opened the scoring from close range after good work by Yan Klukowski down the left.

Taylor headed in his sixth goal of the season after the break when he converted Ed Asafu-Adjaye's right-wing cross from six yards.

Substitute Magno Vieira's close-range tap-in sealed the home side's victory.

POST-MATCH REACTION

Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth told BBC Radio Lincolnshire:

"It's been a long day and a tough night in the context of the match and one we've got to put to bed quickly. We played against a very good side and I have to give credit to the opposition.

"We were in the game at half time, they'd only had one shot. They had a lot of possession in front of us in the first half but didn't really hurt us, but the second goal was the one that really killed the game off.

"We've gone up against accomplished players but as long as our young players continue to learn, that's the main thing. Many teams have already lost to Forest Green but when you're down on numbers that plays a relatively big part."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Forest Green Rovers

  • 23 Russell
  • 03 Stokes Booked
  • 05 Turley
  • 15 Oshodi
  • 16 Asafu-Adjaye
  • 04 Bangura (Vieira - 52' )
  • 08 Klukowski (Brogan - 70' )
  • 11 Forbes Booked
  • 12 Collins
  • 14 Taylor
  • 18 Wright (Koroma - 82' )

Substitutes

  • 28 Brogan
  • 07 Koroma
  • 09 Styche
  • 10 Vieira
  • 20 Norwood

Lincoln City

  • 01 Farman
  • 05 Boyce Booked
  • 20 Miller
  • 26 Robson Booked
  • 15 Gray
  • 16 Nicolau (Sheridan - 65' )
  • 35 Morgan Booked
  • 37 Fofana
  • 07 Smith (Taylor - 65' )
  • 14 Oliver
  • 34 Larkin (Robinson - 65' )

Substitutes

  • 27 Turner
  • 19 Hutchison
  • 12 Sheridan
  • 10 Taylor
  • 39 Robinson
Ref: Nick Kingsley
Att: 1,395

Match Stats

Shots

16 6

On target

13 3

Corners

9 5

Fouls

5 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:11 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +1:01

The ball is crossed by Jake Sheridan, clearance by Jamie Turley.

90:00 +0:31

The ball is swung over by Paul Robson, clearance by Jamie Turley.

89:24

The referee blows for offside against Jamie Taylor. Sam Russell takes the indirect free kick.

88:31

The ball is sent over by Steve Brogan, Shot by Matt Taylor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

87:06

Steve Brogan takes a corner.

86:44

A cross is delivered by Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Omar Koroma takes a shot. Daniel Gray gets a block in.

86:33

Omar Koroma takes a shot. Andrew Boyce gets a block in.

85:24

Free kick crossed right-footed by Steve Brogan, clearance made by Tom Miller.

85:24 Booking

Booking The referee shows Paul Robson a yellow card.

85:23 Booking

Booking The referee books Kieron Forbes for unsporting behaviour.

84:02

Paul Robson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kieron Forbes.

83:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kieron Forbes by Mamadou Fofana. Steve Brogan delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, Mamadou Fofana manages to make a clearance.

81:27

Indirect free kick taken by Paul Farman.

81:27 Substitution

Substitution Ben Wright leaves the field to be replaced by Omar Koroma.

81:27

Magno Vieira is flagged offside by the assistant referee.

79:10

Chris Stokes delivers the ball, blocked by Daniel Gray. Ben Wright takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Tom Miller.

78:37

Ben Wright is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Farman.

77:10

The ball is sent over by Steve Brogan.

76:53

Steve Brogan takes a shot. Save by Paul Farman.

75:41

Ed Asafu-Adjaye produces a cross, Chris Stokes takes a shot. Andrew Boyce gets a block in.

75:10

Corner taken short by Ben Wright. The ball is sent over by Ben Wright, brilliant save by Paul Farman.

74:25

Ben Wright produces a cross, Paul Robson gets a block in. Ben Wright takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Paul Robson. Effort on goal by Kieron Forbes from 20 yards. Save by Paul Farman.

73:41

Matt Taylor takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Paul Farman. Ben Wright takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Paul Robson manages to make a clearance.

69:47

Shot on goal comes in from Ben Wright from the free kick.

69:47 Substitution

Substitution Steve Brogan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Yan Klukowski.

69:47

Jake Sheridan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Stokes.

68:28

Shot from just outside the box by Mamadou Fofana goes over the bar.

65:59

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ed Asafu-Adjaye on Conner Robinson. Free kick crossed right-footed by Paul Robson, clearance made by Jamie Collins.

64:16 Substitution

Substitution Jamie Taylor is brought on as a substitute for Adam Smith.

64:16 Substitution

Substitution Jake Sheridan is brought on as a substitute for Nicky Nicolau.

64:16 Substitution

Substitution Colin Larkin goes off and Conner Robinson comes on.

63:24

The assistant referee signals for offside against Vadaine Oliver. Indirect free kick taken by Sam Russell.

62:45

The assist for the goal came from Matt Taylor.

62:45 Goal scored

Goal - Magno Vieira - Forest Grn 3 - 0 Lincoln Magno Vieira finds the back of the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Forest Green 3-0 Lincoln City.

61:53

Matt Taylor takes a shot. Tom Miller gets a block in. Ben Wright takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Matt Taylor takes a shot. Save by Paul Farman.

59:35

Daniel Gray delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Unfair challenge on Jamie Collins by Vadaine Oliver results in a free kick. Sam Russell takes the indirect free kick.

59:35 Booking

Booking Chris Stokes is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

59:31

Foul by Chris Stokes on Adam Smith, free kick awarded.

58:36

Unfair challenge on Ben Wright by Tom Miller results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Sam Russell.

58:01

Centre by Paul Robson, Eddie Oshodi gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken by Nicky Nicolau from the left by-line, clearance made by Jamie Collins.

57:20

The ball is sent over by Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Mamadou Fofana manages to make a clearance.

55:11

Free kick crossed right-footed by Ben Wright from right wing, Paul Farman makes a save.

55:11 Booking

Booking Andrew Boyce is given a yellow card.

55:00

Andrew Boyce challenges Matt Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick.

53:03

The ball is delivered by Adam Smith, Ed Asafu-Adjaye makes a clearance.

51:14 Substitution

Substitution Magno Vieira is brought on as a substitute for Al Bangura.

50:34

Assist by Ed Asafu-Adjaye.

50:34 Goal scored

Goal - Matt Taylor - Forest Grn 2 - 0 Lincoln Matt Taylor scores a headed goal from close range. Forest Green 2-0 Lincoln City.

50:28

Ed Asafu-Adjaye crosses the ball,

45:37

The ball is crossed by Ed Asafu-Adjaye, Tom Miller makes a clearance.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:04 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +1:37

Vadaine Oliver concedes a free kick for a foul on Al Bangura. Free kick taken by Sam Russell.

45:00 +0:04

Nicky Nicolau crosses the ball, Sam Russell makes a save.

44:31

The referee blows for offside. Paul Farman takes the indirect free kick.

43:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mamadou Fofana on Al Bangura. Direct free kick taken by Sam Russell.

42:24

Yan Klukowski is caught offside. Paul Farman takes the free kick.

41:21

Daniel Gray sends in a cross, Jamie Collins manages to make a clearance.

39:53

Jamie Collins challenges Andrew Boyce unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Farman takes the direct free kick.

38:40

A cross is delivered by Adam Smith, Eddie Oshodi manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Nicky Nicolau, Tom Miller takes a shot. Sam Russell makes a save.

37:12

Unfair challenge on Andrew Boyce by Al Bangura results in a free kick. Paul Farman restarts play with the free kick.

36:49

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ben Wright from the left by-line, Andrew Boyce manages to make a clearance.

35:37

Foul by Andrew Boyce on Matt Taylor, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Ben Wright from left wing, Mamadou Fofana manages to make a clearance. Ben Wright takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Tom Miller.

34:17

Shot from 20 yards from Matt Taylor. Save made by Paul Farman.

33:09

The official flags Ben Wright offside. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Farman.

32:41

The ball is swung over by Adam Smith, Sam Russell makes a save.

32:26

Adam Smith sends in a cross, Chris Stokes makes a clearance.

30:15

Chris Stokes produces a cross, clearance by Paul Robson.

27:25

Effort from outside the penalty box by Colin Larkin goes wide right of the target.

26:04

Daniel Gray challenges Yan Klukowski unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Stokes takes the direct free kick. Ben Wright sends in a cross, clearance made by Tom Miller.

25:21

Paul Robson sends in a cross.

20:48

The ball is crossed by Yan Klukowski, Matt Taylor takes a shot. Blocked by Andrew Boyce.

17:34

Adam Smith produces a cross, clearance made by Chris Stokes. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Nicky Nicolau played to the near post, Sam Russell makes a save.

15:50

Assist on the goal came from Yan Klukowski.

15:50 Goal scored

Goal - Matt Taylor - Forest Grn 1 - 0 Lincoln Matt Taylor finds the net with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Forest Green 1-0 Lincoln City.

15:41

Centre by Yan Klukowski,

14:45

Chris Stokes produces a cross, clearance made by Andrew Boyce.

13:59

Chris Stokes sends in a cross, Paul Robson makes a clearance.

10:57

Shot from 20 yards by Nicky Nicolau. Jamie Turley gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Nicky Nicolau from the left by-line, Andrew Boyce takes a shot. Al Bangura makes a clearance. Corner taken by Nicky Nicolau, Header from deep inside the area by Andrew Boyce goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

10:12

Unfair challenge on David Morgan by Jamie Turley results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Farman.

9:51

Unfair challenge on Matt Taylor by Tom Miller results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Ben Wright from right channel, Andrew Boyce manages to make a clearance.

9:22

A cross is delivered by Eddie Oshodi, clearance by Paul Robson.

8:38

The ball is crossed by Chris Stokes, Andrew Boyce makes a clearance. Ben Wright takes the inswinging corner, save made by Paul Farman.

6:42

The assistant referee signals for offside against Yan Klukowski. Paul Farman takes the free kick.

5:21

Matt Taylor has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

2:54

Free kick taken by Sam Russell. Ed Asafu-Adjaye produces a cross. The official flags Matt Taylor offside. Paul Farman restarts play with the free kick.

2:54 Booking

Booking David Morgan is shown a yellow card.

2:38

David Morgan challenges Kieron Forbes unfairly and gives away a free kick.

0:29

The referee blows for offside against Colin Larkin. Sam Russell restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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