FOREST GREEN recorded a vital 2-0 win over promotion hopefuls Exeter City on Tuesday night thanks to a superb brace by John Hardiker.

Hardiker broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when he connected with a Simon Clist corner kick and volleyed it into the top-left corner.

The Grecians fought their way back into the game and pulled level in first-half stoppage time thanks to an 18-yard effort from Lee Elam. However, Hardiker had the last say and capped a wonderful performance by bagging his second goal in the 88th minute to earn his side all three points.

Rovers boss Jimmy Harvey was delighted with the result.

Harvey said: "When Exeter equalised just before half-time I wondered whether we would wilt or fold.

"But the boys battled back really strongly and found a second wind, and that marks a big turnaround for us.

"When I first turned up here, we were losing a lot of leads in the last few minutes rather than winnings games."

Forest Green: Robinson, Hardiker, Jones, Giles (Preece 58), Nicholson, Dodgson (Stonehouse 71), Pitman (Lawless 71), Brough, Clist, Beesley, Bertram.

Subs Not Used: Harrison, Lamb.

Star player: John Hardiker Att: 1,691.