Crawley might well have taken the lead midway through the second half when Simon Weatherstone had three attempts on goal in the space of three minutes.

Weatherstone had another chance to score for Town immediately after Forest Green's goal when a well-taken free-kick forced an excellent save from home goalkeeper Ryan Robinson.

Just before the decisive 81st minute goal, Reds' keeper Simon Rayner pulled off a magnificent double save as first he prevented Forest Green's Man of the Match Jonathan Smith and then, while spread-eagled on the floor stopped Andy Mangan with his follow-up.

Rayner showed his ability when he saved Mangan's controversial 81st minute penalty but was unable to reach the follow-up.

Crawley Town assistant manager Paul Raynor disputed the penalty decision which was given after Thomas Pinault brought down by Kaid Mohamed.

UPDATES:
49mins - SUBSTITUTION (Crawley) Brad Thomas replaces Glenn Wilson at right-back.

60mins - Quiet start to the half with neither side creating a chance.

62mins - Crawley make a rare attack as Forest passed to Simon Weatherstone who shot over the bar.

63mins - Weatherstone shoots again with a curling effort from 25 yards which keeper Ryan Robinson comfortably saved.

65mins - Weatherstone has his third successive shot from a free-kick which forces a good save by keeper Robinson.

67mins - SUBSTITUTION (Forest Green) Les Afful replaces Lee Fowler.

76mins - SUBSTITUTION (Crawley) Isaiah Rankin replaces Jon-Paul Pittman.

78mins - Simon Rayner makes a terrific double save to deny first Jonathan Smith and then on the rebound from Andy Mangan.

81mins GOAL (Forest Green) 1-0 PENALTY Andy MANGAN gives FGR the lead at the second attempt after Rayner saved his penalty, awarded after Thomas Pinault brought down Kaid Mohamed.

82mins - Weatherstone is denied from a free-kick which went through the wall and was saved by Robinson.

84mins - SUBSTITUTION (FGR) Paul Stonehouse replaces Andy Mangan

84mins - SUBSTITUTION (Crawley) Jamie Cook replaces Sam Rents as Crawley throw men forward in search of an equaliser.

90mins - 3 minutes of added time indicated.

93mins - Yellow card (Rankin)

FULL-TIME: Forest Green Rovers 1 Crawley Town 0


2nd half:

1st half:
6mins - Crawley go on the attack as Pittman corrses to newboy Adam Quinn, ho gets into a good position in the area but heads over the bar.

9mins - Forest Green have their first attack as Simon Clist supplies Kaid Mohamed who fires narrowly wide of the goal.

11mins - Crawley continue their impressive start with Simon Weatherstone crossing from the right flank towards Lewis Killeen, who fails to make contact with the ball from an excellent posiiton in front of goal.

18mins - Forest Green's Mohamed has another go but cannot hit the target from 25 yards.

28mins - Lee Fowler played a delightful chip for the home side which was fingertipped over the bar by Simon Rayner.

29mins - Mohamed beats Quinn and gets a shot in for FGR which was blocked by Rayner.

40mins - FGR's Mohamed sets up Andy Mangan for an excellent shot which hits the crossbar.

Half-time: Forest Green Rovers 0 Crawley Town 0


Steve Evans made one change to the side which beat Lewes 3-0 away on Tuesday night.

Adam Quinn made his debut in central defence after being bought from Halifax on Tuesday for £5,000. He came into the starting line-up in place of Brad Thomas, who was on the bench.

He became the fourth player from the Shay to join Reds over the summer following Lewis Killeen, Danny Forrest and Jake Wright.

Crawley skipper Chris Giles was not recovered from the knee injury which forced him to leave the field during the first half of Town's 1-0 defeat at home to York City last Saturday.

REDS: Rayner, Rents, Wright, Forrest, Bulman, Pinault, Killeen, Pittman, Wilson, Quinn, Weatherstone. Subs: Stevens, Cook, B.Thomas, Rankin, Morgan.

FGR: Robinson, Lawless, Jones, Hardiker, Clist, Mangan, Smith, Fowler, Mohamed, McDonald, C.Thomas. Subs: Stonehouse, Rigoglioso, Afful, Preece, Burton

REF: Rob Lewis (Shropshire)

ATTENDANCE: 732

CRAWLEY OBSERVER MAN OF THE MATCH: Simon Rayner