Halifax consolidated their position in the upper reaches of the Conference table despite being reduced to 10 men for the second week running.

Former Scunthorpe striker Brian Quailey nodded home the opener on 21 minutes after Craig Midley's free-kick from the right had been headed on by Ian Fitzpatrick.

The Shaymen were on top and loan star Ryan Mallon tested Rovers keeper from 20 yards moments later.

Halifax boss Chris Wilder had completed a double swoop on Friday, signing Shaun Garnett, formerly on loan from Oldham, and Kevin Sandwith from Doncaster, and the pair looked comfortable in defence.

So much so that it took the hosts 42 minutes to register a shot at goal, with Alex Meechan's 25-yard effort going wide.

Rovers' cause was not helped when influential former Sunderland midfielder Gary Owers went off injured after 72 minutes and Mallon hit the second 10 minutes from the end.

But the Shaymen had to dig deep when Adam Quinn received his second booking with just five minutes left, and had the woodwork to thank for keeping out Kayode Odejayi's header.

Forest Green: Perrin, Coupe, Darren Jones, Richardson, Jenkins, Matthew Russell, Owers, Foster, Sykes, Meechan, Odejayi. Subs: Lee Russell, Allen, Futcher, Grayson, Glassup.

Halifax: Butler, Asher, Garnett, Quinn, Sandwith, Midgley, Clarkson, Senior, Mallon, Quailey, Fitzpatrick. Subs: Morgan, Herbert, Neil Grayston, Ryan, Parke.

Referee: S Habgood (Chippenham)