FC Halifax 0 Forest Green 2: Jim Harvey fumes as run ends in controversy

Jim Harvey was left dumbfounded at referee Ian Hussin's decision to award a controversial penalty to Forest Green at The Shay.

Jon Parkin’s spot-kick and another goal by Elliott Frear in the first-half sealed Halifax’s first defeat under Harvey.

He was at a loss to explain the decision, which he felt had an influence over the result after Halifax had started brightly against the title-contenders.

He said: “We’ve had a terrific run but we always knew it would be tight. They certainly didn’t need any help but it’s just embarrassing, it really is embarrassing.

“It was a shocking decision and it just turned the whole game.

“We’re disappointed with that. I’ve no idea what it was given for, he’s about the only one who knows.”

This fixture ended in controversy last season with a mass brawl at full-time. This time around the big talking point came round much quicker.

It did not take long for referee Hussin to award Rovers the penalty, the reason for which seemed lost on most observers.

Sam Johnson saved the initial shot from Parkin, but the striker converted the rebound.

Jordan Burrow nearly produced an instant reply but headed narrowly wide from James Bolton’s cross.

There could be no grumbles about Rovers’ second as a rapid break led by Rob Sinclair was capped off by Frear’s deft finish after the impressive Keanu Marsh-Brown’s super low cross through the area.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Bolton, Brown, Bencherif (Hughes 84), Roberts, Wroe, James, Walker (Peniket 46), McManus, J Macdonald (Fairhurst 62), Burrow. Unused substitutes: Porter, Hibbs.

Forest Green: Arnold, Racine, Bennett, Pipe, Jennings, Clough, Carter, Sinclair (Williams 90), Marsh-Brown, Parkin (Moore 70), Frear (Guthrie 78). Unused substitutes: Kelly, Cooper.

Referee: I Hussin (Merseyside).

Man of the match: Rob Sinclair.