Aldershot picked up a well-earned point on the road as Ryan Jones’ deflected effort was cancelled out just 30 seconds into the second-half by Forest Green Rovers.
It was a windy afternoon in the Gloucestershire countryside and within the first five minutes, Forest Green ‘keeper Jed Ward was given a problem as Ryan Jones’ cross from the left had to be tipped behind for a corner.
The home side looked the more dangerous in the early exchanges, though, as Teddy Jenks curled an effort narrowly over the bar and a ball across the Shots goal had to be intercepted by Aaron Jones at the far-post as it flew past everyone.
Marcus Dewhurst was returned to the side for the trip to New Lawn and he made a fantastic double save to keep the game goalless in the 19th minute, firstly denying Harry Cardwell with his feet, before getting back to his feet quickly to claw Charlie McCann’s header on the rebound.
As Aldershot grew into the game, they were finding joy down the left. Ryan Jones was the orchestrator of things, but crosses from Dejan Tetek and Jack Barham were dangerous but turned behind for a corner.
The game was being played at a good pace and was an entertaining watch. Between the 32nd and 35th minute, there was a flurry of chances. Aaron Jones twice finding himself in a good position but not getting the right connection with Tyler Frost having the same problem. Dewhurst was also called into action again to deny Cardwell with his feet on a second occasion.
Just before the half-time break, the Shots took the lead as another move down the left finally paid dividends. Ryan Jones was playing the creator but on this occasion carried the ball forward and inside before seeing his driven effort deflected over Jed Ward and in.
The Shots’ lead was deserved on the general balance of play, with the majority of the first-half played in Forest Green’s end.
HALF-TIME
Whatever was said in the Forest Green dressing room at half-time had an instant impact as the home side levelled the game less than 30 seconds into the second-half. Tom Knowles who had just come off the bench raced forward on a counter attack and squared it across to Charlie McCann who had an easy finish from close-range.
The early goal didn’t rock the Shots too much, though, and after a few minutes of insignificant action, were able to regain their first-half momentum and attack the home side.
Jack Barham headed a deep free-kick back across goal, but it was blocked behind for a corner to strong appeals from the Shots attackers that it hit a hand. From the resulting corner, Tyler Frost smashed a cross across the face of the Forest Green goal that was somehow turned over the bar by Jamie Robson just yards out from his own goalline.
Dejan Tetek saw a half-volley fly just past the post before the hour and just a few minutes later the Shots were unlucky not to go back in front. Olly Scott played a clever ball inside the left wing to set Tetek down the left and some clever play between Tyler Frost and James Henry saw the latter’s shot saved as Aaron Jones’ rebound was cleared off the line by Jamie Robson.
James Henry was driving forward only to be brought down right on the edge of the box, but Ryan Jones’ free-kick in the 71st minute could only deflect off the wall for yet another Shots corner. A Forest Green counter from the resulting corner was dangerous, but Cameron Hargreaves tracked back superbly to put an end to it as the home side began to grow back into the game.
Three minutes later, a game of penalty box pinball ensured in the Shots box, but a combination of Marcus Dewhurst and the Shots defence blocked the incoming shots.
A James Henry header in the 77th minute that narrowly bounced past the post was the final real chance of the game. Either side could have gone on to win the match in what was an entertaining and fairly even spectacle. The Shots were arguably the better side and will be travelling home happy with a point that could have been three.
Attendance: 2116 (324 Away)
Shots lineup: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 5. Christian Maghoma, 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 8. Tyler Frost (9. Kai Corbett, 79′), 11. Ryan Jones, 17. Aaron Jones (C), 18. Olly Scott, 22. Jack Barham, 27. James Henry (19. Jonny Stuttle, 85′), 34. Dejan Tetek (6. Theo Widdrington, 85′), 35. Dan Ellison.
Subs not used: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 2. Lachlan Byrd, 24. Maxwell Mullins, 25. Rollin Menayese.
Forest Green lineup: 1. Jed Ward, 3. Sean Long, 5. Ryan Inniss, 7. Kyle McAllister, 8. Charlie McCann, 15. Jordan Moore-Taylor (C), 16. Harvey Bunker (6. Emmauel Osadebe, 62′), 17. Jamie Robson, 19. Adam May, 21. Teddy Jenks (11. Tom Knowles, 46′), 23. Harry Cardwell (9. Christian Doidge, 78′).
Subs not used: 20. Jamie Searle, 4. Ben Tozer, 10. Liam Sercombe, 22. Joe Quigley.
