THERE were green shoots of recovery for York City at the New Lawn following the 6-1 midweek mauling by Gateshead.

Pre-season title favourites Forest Green certainly pulled up few trees against Jackie McNamara’s ten-man team but Matt Tubbs, the root cause of so many City defeats over the years, converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn the hosts a fortunate three points.

The visitors had earlier dominated the opening exchanges and might have led by more than a thumping Richard Brodie strike before big-spending Rovers mustered their first goal attempt of the afternoon on 34 minutes.

City then appeared to have overcome a wobble on the stroke of half-time when debutant keeper Luke Simpson was required to pull off a couple of excellent saves after Rhys Murphy levelled the scores on 40 minutes.

McNamara’s men even seemed to have survived Simon Heslop’s harsh 73rd-minute dismissal, as Forest Green old boy Yan Klukowski was denied a late goal by Sam Russell’s reflex save.

But controversial referee Jack Rushton, who took the names of seven City players, could not resist one final intervention, pointing to the spot after Aarran Racine threw himself to the floor as Shaun Rooney breathed down his neck.

Tubbs went on to showed Zidane-like nerve to deftly lob the ball over a diving Simpson in the 95th minute of an entertaining, but ultimately cruel, contest.

His goal – a ninth in 11 matches for five different clubs against the Minstermen – represented the first time Mark Cooper’s team had led on an afternoon that had started so brightly for the visitors. Forest Green struggled to contain a fit-again Aidan Connolly, who was employed in a roving attacking role as McNamara switched to 4-3-3 in Gloucestershire.

An eighth-minute, right-wing Connolly corner to the far post was headed down by Rooney, only for Klukoswki to fire wide from eight yards.

Moments later, Jack Higgins’ interception from a home corner launched a rapid counter attack, which saw a charging Alex Whittle release Connolly down the left, but his cross was headed wide by on-loan Sheffield United striker Jake Wright.

It was no surprise, therefore, when the diminutive Scotsman provided another low centre from the left that Brodie controlled before swivelling to blast an eight-yard volley past helpless home keeper Russell on 20 minutes.

Shortly afterwards, another fine Brodie effort from the edge of the box was clawed away by Russell, while Klukowski also fired wide of the near post after a positive burst into the penalty box.

Rovers eventually threatened with captain Racine’s downward header clearing the crossbar from Mohammed Chemlal’s corner and drew level with their second opportunity of the game.

Ben Jefford escaped Rooney’s attentions down the left wing and sent in a low cross that saw Murphy steel in front of Whittle to net from six yards.

Having dominated the game up to that point, City went on to survive an onslaught during the closing stages of the half.

First, Keanu Marsh-Brown and Tubbs both skied over from ten yards.

Tubbs was also denied by a near-post save from Bennett, who threw himself to his left to spectacularly keep out Murphy’s header from Chemlal’s resulting corner. The second half started in a less frantic fashion with a ten-yard Tubbs shot lacking the power to trouble Simpson, while Liam Noble drove over from range.

Matt Dixon, meanwhile, had Russell at full stretch to prevent his curling, edge-of-the-box effort finding the ex-Darlington net-minder’s bottom left-hand corner.

At the other end, Drissa Traore fired a deflected shot into the sidenetting after tip-toeing his way past Rooney on the left byline before Heslop was given his marching orders following an innocuous touchline tussle for possession with Chemlal on the right.

Rushton showed the City skipper his second yellow card for offences that were neither dangerous in terms of intent or area of the pitch.

Three more chances went begging for Tubbs, but sub Daniel Nti headed over from a Dixon free kick for the Minstermen and the former Hull City under-21s captain also provided the right-wing cross that saw Klukowski’s eight-yard effort brilliantly pushed away by Russell.

It was Tubbs, though, who secured a third straight win for Forest Green after Racine crashed to the deck when Chemlal had swung in a free kick from the right to the far post.

City

Luke Simpson: 8 – rarely tested aerially but proved himself as a impressive shot-stopper

Shaun Rooney: 6 – caught wrong side of his man for both goals, even if penalty was harsh

Jack Higgins: 7 – mishit a few clearances but never found wanting on high balls

Ben Clappison: 7 – some nervy moments in an otherwise dependable display

Alex Whittle: 7 – provided early energy and enthusiasm in his forward forays

Matt Dixon: 8 – won his tackles and drove the team forward during second half

Simon Heslop: 8 – made so many covering challenges for team and harshly punished for two harmless fouls

Yan Klukowski: 7 – disciplined in a deeper midfield role and still got into scoring positions

Aidan Connolly: 8 – movement troubled Forest Green from start and was always probing

STAR MAN Richard Brodie: 8 – occupied attention of visiting players and fans alike with his determined play

Jake Wright: 7 – willing runner and provided a keen outlet when needed

Substitutes: Daniel Nti 7 – busy (for Wright, 64), Clovis Kamdjo (for Connolly, 76), Scott Fenwick (for Brodie, 89).

Subs not used: Scott Flinders, Josh Robinson.

Forest Green

Sam Russell, Dale Bennett, Aarran Racine, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Jefford, Drissa Traore (Fabien Robert, 80), Keanu Marsh-Brown, Liam Noble, Mohamed Chemlal, Rhys Murphy (Christian Doidge, 64), Matt Tubbs. Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Darren Carter, Kieffer Moore.

Forest Green star man: Tubbs – always a goal threat

Referee: Steve Rushton rating: 4/10 – too card happy, meaning a sending off was inevitable

Booked: Clappison 18, Brodie 27, Racine 53, Wright 54, Heslop 70, Chemlal 71, Dixon 90+3, Nti 90+4, Tubbs 90+5, Kamdjo 90+6.

Sent off: Heslop 73.

Attendance: 1,396 (153 from City)

Shots on target: Forest Green 4, City 4

Shots off target: Forest Green 8, City 5

Corners: Forest Green 8, City 6

Fouls conceded: Forest Green 7, City 17

Offside: Forest Green 6, City 1