​FOREST GREEN ROVERS 0 SOUTHPORT 0

There were no goals but no shortage of entertainment in a spiky draw at the New Lawn.

Rovers recalled Curtis McDonald and Jamie Grimes to cover for suspended duo Scott Bartlett and Gavin Caines, while new recruit Ben Gill was handed a debut in central midfield.

It was in-form Port who started on the front foot, Matty McGinn warming James Bittner’s palms with a fierce free-kick which the home keeper claimed at the second attempt.

The hosts eventually settled, and some nice combination play between Gill and Reece Styche put Yan Klukowski clear for a shot which Tony McMillan smothered well at the near post.

Rovers were also denied a vehement penalty claim, as Styche nicked the ball past prostrate keeper McMillan and saw his shot strike the arm of Earl Davis.

Forest Green’s influence was growing, but they were indebted to a magnificent save by Bittner on 37 minutes. Chris Simm fed Blakeman inside the area and his close-range shot on the turn was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar.

The second half produced far fewer clear openings, home skipper Luke Jones chancing his arm from long range but failing to keep it down.

Southport’s Matty McGinn curled one narrowly wide of the far corner before another opportunity fell to Styche, who surged onto a loose ball and brought a decent low save from McMillan.

The Sandgrounders’ stopper was called upon again within a minute, doing well to clutch a snap-shot from Else, while Davis was fortunate to escape censure again when he appeared to haul down Jones in the area.

Forest Green: Bittner; Herring, L. Jones, Grimes, McDonald; L. Fowler, M. Fowler (Smith 64), Gill, Else (Davies 79); Klukowski; Styche; Subs not used: Armstrong, Baldwin, Z. Jones.

See Monday's Citizen for Peter Orchard's match overview, match reaction and pictures.