Walsall 2 Forest Green 1

RORY HOLDEN took the plaudits after scoring on his return. James Clarke added Walsall’s second before Jordan Moore-Taylor’s consolation.

Manager Brian Dutton said: “We’ve won nine games this season and eight have been with Rory in the team so it’s not rocket science - if you get your best players out there, you win matches.”

Forest Green, with striker Jamille Matt injured, are on the other side of that equation. And manager Mark Cooper said: “When you take your 16-goal top scorer out of the team, it’s a blow and we’ve not recovered.”