ANDY MANGAN'S football future may be in limbo, but the prolific Liverpudlian underlined his value by helping himself to a brace against Phil Parkinson's Charlton Athletic.
Mangan will appear before the FA on betting charges the day before the Blue Square Premier season kicks-off, but the popular striker put this confidently behind him with a typically energetic display.
In contrast, his old mate Stuart Fleetwood returned to Nailsworth, but the former New Lawn favourite was superbly contained by Lee Ayres and Mark Preece.
A player with a vested interest in events at the New Lawn, Fleetwood's move to The Valley last summer paved the way for this friendly.
Fleetwood was top scorer for Rovers in the 2007/08 season, netting 28 goals to pick up the Blue Square Premier Golden Boot award.
And that trophy remains a big part of the Gloucestershire club's heritage in the shape of striker Mangan, who succeeded Fleetwood at the top of the Rovers - and Blue Square Premier - scoring charts.
Manager Jim Harvey swooped to sign former Salisbury captain Mike Fowler on Friday morning and named him on the bench.
The team also included Curtis McDonald at left-back with Paul Stonehouse playing in central midfield.
Rovers opened their account on 20 minutes when Mangan outstripped the Charlton defence to poke the ball under Darren Randolph.
The striker increased his tally five minutes later. New Rovers' right-back Andy Taylor picked him out and he volleyed home with ease.
Fowler was introduced for the second half. The Addicks pulled a goal back ten minutes from the end. A slip in the defence left Chris Dickson to fire under Terry Burton.
However, Rovers rallied with Brown scoring the home side's third goal six minutes from time.
After a close-season that saw Harvey lose key-men Darren Jones and Alex Lawless, the manager cut a happy figure.
He said: "We have to be happy with the way things have gone. Andy had five good chances and converted two of then and it's is a nice start for him."
Forest Green: Burton, Taylor, McDonald, Ayres, Preece, Stonehouse, Brown, Lloyd, Mangan, Platt, Smith.
Subs used: Else, Morris, Pugh, Baldwin, Pass (G/K), Davies, Palmer, Fowler, Winter, Casey, Shaze. Not used: Mensah.
Charlton Athletic: Randolph, Wagstaff, Basey, Semedo, Brown, Fortune, Stavrinrou, Spring, Fleetwood, Dickson, McLeod.
Subs: Clark, Mambo, Binks, Small, Bellamy, Davisson.
Attendance: 732 STAR MAN: Andy Mangan
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