Alex helps Rovers get out of Doidge
ALEX lacovitti proved an unlikely hero as Forest Green twice came from behind to register a dramatic victory over Crewe in a pulsating League Two contest at a rain-lashed New Lawn.
Crewe twice took the lead through Chris Porter and Jordan Bowery, only for in-form Welsh striker Christian Doidge to net in the 44th and 82nd minutes to restore parity and set up a thrilling finale.
Signed on loan from Nottingham Forest in the summer, big defender lacovitti grabbed the winner following a furious goalmouth scramble in the third minute of added time.
Delighted Forest Green manager Mark Cooper said: “It’s amazing what last minute goals can do for you. I’m really pleased for the players, because they kept going and refused to give in on a day when the conditions made it difficult to play football.
“Crewe came with a game plan to put men behind the ball and wait for us to give it away, which we did. When you go a goal behind early on, it becomes difficult. We sent on substitutes to make us a bit more dynamic and they paid off.”
Unsure of themselves after shipping eight goals in their previous two outings, the Railwaymen required just 14 minutes to find their feet on their first ever visit to the New Lawn.
Their first attack of substance culminated in George Cooper whipping in a cross for the late arriving Porter to head home.
Cooper continued to torment the home defence and another cross almost provided the in-rushing Chris Dagnall with a chance to double the lead.
Frustrated by opponents who put men behind the ball, Rovers were unable to find a way through until Dale Bennett’s cross caused chaos and Scott Laird’s shot was turned in by top-scorer Doidge on the stroke of half time.
Undeterred by that setback, Crewe regained their lead nine minutes into the second half, Bowery finishing after the influential Cooper had picked out Perry Ng at the far post.
But Rovers refused to throw in the towel and, with eight minutes to play, Doidge turned in a cross to register his fourth goal in five games and set up a thrilling finale.
Defeat was hard to take for Crewe boss Dave Artell, who admitted: “The boys are gutted, because they deserved more from the game. Our game plan worked well and we were in control of the game.
“But we’ve not taken the chances we created when on top and they've made us pay for it.”