Wes Hoolahan goal gives Cambridge United victory in top three clash with Forest Green Rovers in Sky Bet League Two

Wes Hoolahan got the only goal of the game as Cambridge United clinched a 1-0 win over Forest Green Rovers in their Sky Bet League Two top-three clash.

The victory had its foundation in an impressive first-half display at the Abbey Stadium, a period in which United hot-shot Paul Mullin even had a penalty saved.

The U’s had the first chance of note, in the 12th minute, when Kyle Knoyle hit the side-netting from 25 yards.

Mullin then had an effort wide from Joe Ironside’s flick-on, and the referee was pointing to the spot soon after.

Mullin had latched onto Hoolahan’s pass, but was brought down by Baily Cargill. However, Mullin was denied the chance to break David Crown’s league scoring record for the U’s as Forest Green keeper Lewis Thomas pushed the penalty onto the post.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game came in the 38th minute.

Liam O’Neil put pressure on to dispossess Rovers in their area, and Hoolahan waltzed through the defence to score from an angle.

Hiram Boateng warmed the hands of Thomas with a 20-yard effort in the 43rd minute, as United went into the break having kept Forest Green on the backfoot for much of the half.

The visitors attempted to up the urgency at the start of the second half, with Nicky Cadden firing into the side-netting and Aaron Collins was thwarted by U’s keeper Callum Burton, although he was also ruled offside.

Collins put a header inches wide and there was an effort wide from Isaac Hutchinson in the 84th minute, but that was as good as it got for the visitors as United proved worthy winners to pull four points clear of third-placed Forest Green.