Matt’s a brilliant pro, says Forest Green head coach

Jamaican Jamille Matt has earned fresh praise from English League Two side Forest Green Rangers' head coach Mark Cooper, after the striker rescued a point in a 1-1 home draw against his former club Newport County.

Matt, 31, who left Rodney Parade in the summer after the coronavirus pandemic meant Newport could not offer him a fresh contract, netted in the 77th minute as he turned home a right-wing cross from Matty Stevens - his sixth goal of the season.

Cooper knows Matt's talents stretch beyond the confines of the football pitch.

"He's a brilliant pro, he's good to have around the place," he said.

"We've got a really young group and he looks after them and gives them good advice, and that's probably as key as the good work he's doing on the pitch as well."

leaders

Yesterday's result left Forest Green in fourth place, four points behind leaders Newport, but from a game more.

In League One on Wednesday night, teenage striker Tyreece John-Jules equalised in the 81st minute for visitors Doncaster Rovers, but leaders Hull City grabbed all three points with a late winner in the 2-1 victory that kept them top.

The 19-year-old London-born John-Jules, whose paternal grandparents are both from Dominica and is on loan from Premier League club Arsenal, appeared set to claim a point for Doncaster - the better side for long periods of the second half - when he swept home Josh Sims' right-wing cross after coming on as a 64th-minute substitute.

But Tom Eaves had the final word with the winning goal just two minutes after coming off the bench to replace Josh Magennis, who scored the 26th-minute opener.

- CMC