Forest Green Rovers 1 Exeter City 1

Jim Harvey was relieved after his Forest Green side escaped with a point against promotion rivals Exeter City.

Rovers fell behind courtesy of Wayne Carlisle's header but equalised on the stroke of half-time through Darren Jones.

The week leading up to the game was all about Stuart Fleetwood's decision to stay at the New Lawn after rejecting a move to Crewe but the 30 goal man hardly had a sniff at goal against a strong and well organised Exeter side, and now hasn't scored for five games.

Forest Green were surprisingly lacklustre without the influential Simon Clist in midfield, who missed out with an Achilles injury, and they had goalkeeper Ryan Robinson to thank as he pulled off a string of impressive saves before coming off injured with 18 minutes remaining.

Boss Harvey said: "I'm disappointed because it wasn't what we were expecting, it wasn't good enough.

"It was always going to be a tough game. I think the forecast before today was a draw and the way we played I'm glad we didn't lose.

"We didn't create as many chances as you'd normally expect. Robinson had a couple of really good saves to make, he did very well."

Harvey also felt a couple of decisions went against his side, particularly a late penalty shout.

"We could have had a winner. Les (Afful) went into the box, went past two of them, and they've pulled him over and for me it's a blatant penalty," he said.

Forest Green started brightly with Anthony Tonkin striking a fierce drive from 25 yards, but Exeter goalkeeper Andy Marriott did well to get down and tip the ball around his left post.

Fleetwood played a ball through to Jamie Pitman who was well placed in the Exeter penalty area, but the midfielder shot wide.

One minute later Rovers fell behind when Darren Jones was caught in possession by the persistent Adam Stansfield and the Exeter striker crossed from the left for the unmarked Wayne Carlisle at the far post who headed powerfully into the Rovers net.

The visitors began to look in control and Matt Gill dispossessed Alex Lawless in midfield before striking powerfully towards goal, and forcing a good save by Robinson diving to his right.

Forest Green equalised against the run of play when Paul Stonehouse whipped in a free-kick from the left, and Jones rose highest to head the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

Within two minutes of the second half the visitors threatened again when Carlisle struck a stunning volley from 20 yards but Robinson did brilliantly to parry the ball wide.

Steve Basham then cut inside from the left before striking a post with his shot, and one minute later, Andy Taylor fed Stansfield down the left channel and the ex Yeovil man's fierce shot from a tight angle forced a good save from Robinson, diving to his left.

Exeter saw another chance go begging when Tully's low cross into the area was met by Dean Moxey but his goal-bound effort was blocked bravely by Jones and Gill fired the rebound wide.

Robinson had to be replaced by Terry Burton when he came off worse in a goal-mouth scramble from Gill's long throw.

Forest Green had a strong penalty shout turned away by referee Michael Naylor with 13 minutes remaining when Grecians defender George Friend tussled with Les Afful in the box.

In the last minute, Rovers could have snatched it when Fleetwood seized on Dan Seaborne's poor backpass. He played the ball past Marriott, but the former Sunderland keeper stood up well and did just enough as the ball ran out of play.

Forest Green: R Robinson (T Burton 72), M Brough , D Jones, J Hardiker, A Tonkin, A Lawless, J Pitman, J Smith (L Afful 58), P Stonehouse, M Beesley (C Giles 88), S Fleetwood. Subs not used: A Rigoglioso, M Preece.

Exeter: A Marriott, S Tully, D Seaborne, R Edwards, G Friend, W Carlisle, D Moxey, M Gill, A Taylor, A Stansfield, S Basham (Logan 64). Subs not used: B Cozic, L Sercombe, P Jones, R Harley.

Referee: Michael Naylor (Sheffield) Attendance: 2,325 (896) Man of the Match: Ryan Robinson