Forest Green O Birmingham 1

SCOTLAND striker Garry O’Connor’s scruffy late goal handed Birmingham a fortunate victory at an oppressively hot New Lawn on Sunday.

It wasn’t until the 88th minute that the winner came, Scotland international Garry O’Connor taking Krystian Pearce’s lofted pass forward beyond defender Lee Molyneux to evade goalkeeper Terry Burton’s attempted challenge and roll in.

Rovers started brightly. Andy Mangan fired over after Alex Lawless did well to cut the ball back. Lawless then drew the best out of Irish international keeper Colin Doyle from a low 20-yard strike. Mangan then found strike partner Kaid Mohamed who shot wide on the turn.

Former England striker Kevin Phillips let rip in the 19th minute, striking Ryan Robinson’s body from close range, and he then made a hash of a good chance, seemingly scuffing the turf, after a quick interchange between James McFadden, Sone Aluko and O’Connor.

McFadden, starting wide on the left in a first-half, set O’Connor away with a raking crossfield pass Robinson did well to block with his feet as O’Connor cut back to shoot with his left foot. ºRovers came close to breaking the stalemate in the 56th minute, Chris Thomas made an impressive run from right-back and his cross was nicked away from Mangan by Stuart Parnaby.

Jim Harvey injected the youthful enthusiasm of Issac Shaze. His trickery was quickly in evidence when he won the ball off Stuart Parnaby and Lee Carsley. His pass saw the impressive Jamie Pitman blaze over from outside the box .

FOREST GREEN (4-4-2): Robinson (Burton ht), Baines (Thomas ht), Stonehouse (McDonald ht), Molyneux, Hardiker, Fowler (Smith ht), Pitman (Mensah 71), Lawless, Mangan (Afful 59), Mohammed (Symons 65), Platt (Shaze 59).

BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2, 4-3-3): Doyle (Krysiak ht), Parnarby, Murphy (Wilson 59), Jaidi, Pearce, Aluko (Emanuel ht), Sammons, Carsley (Mitch McPike 64), O’Connor, Phillips, McFadden.

Subs not used: Jervis, Timmons, Rowe.

Gazette star man: Jamie Pitman Referee: B Malone Attendance: 934.

l Forest Green complete their pre-season programme with a trip to Evesham United this Saturday. Kick-off at St George’s Lane, Worcester is at 3pm.