EUPHORIA gripped The Lawn this week as Forest Green Rovers finally climbed out of the relegation zone on Monday for the first time this season.

The 0-0 draw at Gravesend was enough to see the club pull clear of the dreaded drop zone, and the place change should be a major confidence booster.

However, Rovers' Easter weekend had got off to a bad start with defeat against the Conference's front runners.

Forest Green Rovers 0 Barnet 2

NOTHING was expected from this clash with champions elect Barnet, but in the end Alan Lewer's side will feel somewhat aggrieved not to have banked something from this Easter Saturday clash.

Forest Green began with aplomb and certainly took the game to the Nationwide Conference leaders.

Hugh McAuley, Matt Gadsby, Adam Garner and Jon Richardson all went close in the opening exchanges and Andy Harris clipped the crossbar with a deft chip from distance. The Bees were so stung that they did not get a strike on goal until 30 minutes. However, they found the excellent Dean Williams in defiant mood.

For all Rovers' bright endeavour the leaders showed their quality after the break. With Gadsby clearly injured, the fleet-footed Richard Graham nipped beyond both him and Des Lyttle to check back and stand a cross up for the diving Ben Strevens to nod home a 55th minute opener.

It looked as if Rovers may collapse as the Bees starting buzzing and they proceeded to press the self-destruct button and gift Liam Hatch the second twelve minutes later. Ian Hendon's sweeping pass caught Garner in two minds, which in turn allowed Hatch to ghost in to strike beyond Williams.

Rovers rallied somewhat, but crucially Mark Beesley was injured as his boot caught the bottom of Nick Bailey's foot, forcing Beesley to be carried off with ruptured knee ligaments. With all substitutes on Rovers were forced to finish the match with ten men.

Forest Green: Williams, Lyttle (Green 84), Garner, Richardson, Searle, Gadsby (Rogers 56), McAuley, Harris, Davies (Davis 62), Beesley, Griffin. Subs not used: Perrin, Roberts.

Gravesend 0 Forest Green Rovers 0

FOREST Green gave themselves a massive jolt of confidence with a point at Gravesend on Easter Monday, which enabled them to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Rovers went into the game missing Mark Beesley and Matt Gadsby and were rocked when Jon Richardson broke down in the pre-match warm up. Richardson was replaced by Ben Cleverley.

However, prompted by the excellent Hugh McAuley, Rovers began brightly. It was McAuley who saw a 32nd minute volley strike the bar from 30 yards. Meanwhile, lone striker Charlie Griffin went close, but Rovers will be more than satisfied with a point

Six matches will now decide Rovers' Conference future as the season points towards a nerve-jangling climax. Rovers welcome Mark Cooper's Tamworth this Saturday and then travel to relegation rivals Northwich Victoria on Tuesday.

Rovers' cause against Tamworth will not be helped with the crushing news that Mark Beesley will play no further part in the season after rupturing knee ligaments near the end of the Barnet defeat. Matt Gadsby and Richardson will hope to feature.

Manager Alan Lewer was hoping to bring in up to three fresh faces later this week.

Forest Green: Williams, Lyttle, Garner, Cleverley, Searle, Green, Rogers, Harris, McAuley, Davies, Griffin.

Subs not used: Perrin, Davis, Beswetherick, Roberts, Appleby.

L Rovers have announced that they have accepted the resignation of their commercial manager, Robin Eaves, for personal reasons.

However, Eaves will be retained as a consultant on a part time basis.