United 2
Palmer 35
McPhee 81

Forest Green 4
Wright 7
Pook 20
Smith 45
Allen 78

UNITED concluded their totesport.com Combination in disappointing fashion on a freezing cold day at Plainmoor.

Forest Green Rovers waltzed away with a 4-2 win after early goals from Tommy Wright and Michael Pook had set a solid platform. Ed Palmer pulled one back for the Gulls on 35 minutes but the visitors restored their two-goal advantage through Daniel Smith on the verge of half-time.

Chris Allen added a superb fourth for Forest Green with a sweet free-kick 12 minutes from time before a late consolation from Chris McPhee.

United's blend of youth and experience started with the defensive five, where goalkeeper Martin Rice and left-back Lathaniel Rowe-Turner could act as tutors to young pros Palmer and Daniel Leadbitter, as well as youth-team prospect Scott Beattie.

The three-man midfield comprised trialist Nathan Craig, youngster Jordan Kewell and the versatile Ashley Yeoman. McPhee started as the central striker, flanked by Lloyd Macklin and Ray Spear.

Forest Green included former Gull Chris Todd in their line-up, his first outing after months out with a serious hamstring injury.

United started the better in the Baltic conditions, although Macklin's shooting boots were still cold as he missed the target with a decent opening.

The visitors exacted immediate revenge with Wright pouncing on a loose pass by Yeoman to skip past the advancing Rice and slot home, despite Beattie's valiant efforts to clear.

A clever run from Rowe-Turner six minutes later provided Yeoman with an early opportunity to make amends and the youngster was unfortunate to see his final shot ruffle the side-netting.

Palmer then stepped forward as an unexpected candidate for a long-range free-kick and the searing drive had Forest Green 'keeper Matthew Bulman briefly scrambling before being content the ball was whizzing past his upright.

Forest Green doubled their lead on 20 minutes, although there was more than a hint of offside about the goal. Fair play to the visitors for a neat move and a tidy finish by Pook, but the winger looked to have strayed when receiving the final pass.

The Gulls eventually livened up their performance to carve out an opening for McPhee. Yeoman was the catalyst, weaving a merry path in the left channel and squaring for McPhee, but his low shot was well blocked by Luke Graham.

Kewell then took centre-stage, picking up a short corner from Yeoman to whip over a fabulous cross from Beattie, but the tall defender bounced a tame effort off his chest and into the grateful arms of Bulman.

The Forest Green custodian was helpless moments later, however, as Palmer rose highest to smash home an excellent header after a deep free-kick from Craig.

It would have been a fairly satisfactory conclusion to a lacklustre first period but Forest Green profited from a huge slice of luck to make the half-time score 3-1, as an ambitious shot from Smith took a huge deflection off Beattie to leave Rice completely wrong-footed.

United began the second half with a mild flurry and Kewell was unlucky to see his low shot swing narrowly wide of the near post.

The first Yellow change came on 55 minutes when Robert Nardiello was introduced for Beattie and was soon followed by Niall Thompson replacing Spear five minutes later.

Unfortunately, the new faces were unable to change the pattern of proceedings and Forest Green should have notched number four when a dancing run from Matthew Patterson ended with Wright's side-footer at an empty net being cleared off the line by Leadbitter.

United's trialist, Craig, then stepped up to fire in a powerful free-kick from 25 yards and Bulman needed the full length of his frame to turn the ball wide.

Thompson's blistering pace was the next problem for Forest Green and the final ball was just a fraction from finding its target. At the other end, Wright headed narrowly over after some neat wing-work by Michael Uwezu.

Forest Green completed their happy afternoon with 12 minutes remaining when substitute Allen curled a delightful free-kick into the top corner for 22 yards. The Gulls responded with a Craig Corner bouncing off McPhee's midriff to reduce the arrears.

Palmer ended a bitter day with another rifle-crack of a free-kick, which deflected on to the Forest Green post for the final action.

Now, put the fire on.

United (4-3-3): 13 Martin Rice; 7 Daniel Leadbitter (19 James Quinn 83), 6 Scott Beattie (15 Robert Nardiello 55), 5 Ed Palmer, 2 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner; 24 Ashley Yeoman, 10 Jordan Kewell, 11 Nathan Craig; 14 Lloyd Macklin, 8 Chris McPhee (capt), 9 Ray Spear (22 Niall Thompson 60). Substitutes (not used): 1 Aaron Ibbetson (GK), 12 Sean Latimer.

Forest Green (4-4-2): 13 Matthew Bulman; 2 Jeffrey Imudia, 5 Luke Graham (capt), 6 Chris Todd (14 Chris Allen H-T), 3 Ashley Brown; 7 Michael Uwezu (12 Saul Williams 79), 4 Callum Henry (15 Adrian Harvey 90), 8 Michael Pook, 11 Daniel Smith; 9 Tommy Wright, 10 Matthew Patterson. Substitutes (not used):`

Referee: Dean Treleaven