Forest Green Rovers 0 Aldershot Town 0

THE Lawn's top brass will not lodge an appeal against Julian Alsop's second half red card, which marred Forest Green's New Year's Day draw with Aldershot Town.

Rovers manager Alan Lewer, chairman Trevor Horsley, director John Clapp, secretary Colin Peake and scout Nick Cornwall all scrutinised video footage directly after the match and all appear to be in agreement.

"Julian Alsop has put his arm across the guy (Steve Watson), but he doesn't feel he has hit him at all and he doesn't feel he led with his elbow," said Lewer. "He says if he's done anything out of order, he deserves to be fined for it, but he feels he hasn't touched the guy."

The former Cheltenham Town striker will now serve an instant three-match ban, while defenders Darren Davies and Adam Garner will also miss this weekend's trip to Scarborough after the duo both picked up yellow cards on New Year's Day.

Despite this, Lewer was delighted with his side. He said: "We've had a great Christmas. We're unbeaten again and that brings a massive boost to the changing room. Six weeks ago, we were in an impossible position. Now teams will be looking over their shoulders.

"They put on a good show and I would have thought the crowd would have gone away happy. The wind spoilt it, but the players gave everything they had." Earlier, 2005 was ushered in on a filthy, damp day at The Lawn with Ryan Williams proving a scampering nuisance on the wet surface as Rovers took the game to Aldershot.

It was Williams' quick feet that brought about a booking for Phil Warner after 18 minutes. Warner was later to be sent-off for curtailing the run of the impressive Davies on 64 minutes.

Rovers were certainly looking to build on their victory over Terry Brown's side on Boxing Day as well as their 1-1 draw with Crawley Town two days later, when Williams had got on the scoresheet to continue Rovers' fine December run.

Despite missing flu victims Matt Gadsby and Andy Watson, Rovers were on top during the first half.

However, after the break the Shots began to impose themselves through the probing of former Forest Green midfielder Hugh McAuley. And it was McAuley who was involved in the game's major talking point. The Liverpudlian was firstly booked for questioning what he thought should have been a corner, when his cross clipped the head of Jon Richardson.

Seconds later, McAuley clipped the bar from a well-struck free-kick. In an instant the ball was swept forward, and Alsop and Watson challenged and with Watson on the floor referee Steve Door reached for his red card.

Lewer immediately introduced former Oxford United midfielder Michael Alexis for the hugely disappointing Stuart Roberts. Scott Rogers moved wide and the game swung Rovers' way.

With Charlie Griffin foraging alone up front the mood changed. In a flash Williams' flighted cross saw Griffin rise, but he saw his header clip the top of the bar on 72 minutes.

Two minutes later Rogers' darting run and cross found Griffin, who again directed a header, this time against the foot of the post.

With the match drawing to a close the dangerous pace of substitute Mark Danks enlivened Lewer's side further, but try as they might the points were shared in the end, leaving Rovers to secure their 17th point from their last ten games.

This is the form of survivors.