Summary

  • Ollie Banks' long-range strike seals first-leg victory for Tranmere

  • Forest Green played 75 minutes with 10 men following Gunning red card

  • Forest Green (5th) finished one point above Tranmere (6th)

  • Tranmere bidding to win successive promotions

  • Forest Green have never reached third tier before

  • Second leg at The New Lawn on Monday (19:45 BST)

  • Winner to face Mansfield or Newport at Wembley

  1. ouch!

    Postpublished at 70 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    This has got to hurt. With too much momentum to stop himself as he tried to prevent the ball going out for a corner, Forest Green's Nathan McGinley takes a tumble over the advertising boards and flips head over heels and lands among the Tranmere fans.

    He wants to carry on. Some of the home fans even look a tad concerned.

    I think he's OK. Yes, he's back on.

    Nathan McGinley gets up among the Tranmere fans after falling over the advertising boardsImage source, Rex Features
  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:13 BST 10 May 2019

    #bbcefl

    Tranmere fansImage source, Rex Features

    Would either of these sides take this scoreline after 90 minutes, given how long the visitors have played with 10 men?

    If you're a fan of one of these two Rovers, get in touch via #bbcefl on Twitter.

  3. SUBSTITUTION (Forest Green)published at 66 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green playmaker Dayle Grubb comes off, with George Williams replacing him.

  4. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Former Forest Green defender Emmanuel Monthe strides forward for the hosts and has a strike at goal from range, left-footed, but his effort flies high and wide.

  5. SUBSTITUTION (Tranmere)published at 63 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Kieron Morris is withdrawn by Tranmere boss Micky Mellon and on comes on-loan Bristol City man Jon Smith. Some fresh legs in the wing for the home side.

  6. CLOSE!published at 62 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Tranmere's James Norwood following a miss against Forest GreenImage source, Rex Features

    This time Liam Ridehalgh's cross is perfect, but James Norwood's free header drops off target.

    League Two's top scorer Norwood has had a few chances tonight...

  7. Postpublished at 60 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Tranmere get in to a promising position, but Liam Ridehalgh's cross is a tad overhit.

    We've got half an hour to go in this first leg, and the hosts still lead.

  8. Postpublished at 55 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Carl Winchester of Forest Green beats a challenge from Connor JenningsImage source, Getty Images

    Forest Green - despite being a man down - will be encouraged by how they've played since the break, compared to the majority of the first half, which Tranmere controlled.

  9. ouch!

    Postpublished at 52 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Now - in total contrast - Christian Doidge is lucky not to be penalised, and maybe lucky not to be sent off.

    He makes contact with Tranmere goalscorer Ollie Banks' chin with his elbow, and it doesn't look accidental.

    Again, nothing given.

  10. PENALTY APPEAL (Forest Green)published at 50 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green Rovers Christian Doidge is brought down by Tranmere Rovers Emmanuel Monthe, but no penalty is givenImage source, Rex Features

    Ooooh the visitors have a big shout for a penalty here, but it's not given.

    Christian Doidge looks to be through on goal but he's stopped in his tracks by Tranmere's Emmanuel Monthe, who appears to have his arms on Forest Green's top scorer, before catching his heel.

  11. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    The team finishing sixth has won promotion to League One just twice in the past 11 seasons, although Coventry managed it last season.

    Tranmere finished sixth this term, just a point behind Forest Green.

  12. Second halfpublished at 46 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Forest Green manger Mark CooperImage source, Reuters

    Hosts Tranmere Rovers get the game going again.

    I wonder what Forest Green boss Mark Cooper said to his 10 men at half-time?

  13. Postpublished at 20:49 BST 10 May 2019

    HT: Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Tranmere are bidding to secure back-to-back promotions, while Forest Green have never reached the third tier.

    The second half of their semi-final first leg is coming up next... The players are back out.

  14. Bolton experience 'hurt a little'published at 20:45 BST 10 May 2019

    HT: Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Media caption,

    Christian Doidge: Forest Green Rovers striker on Bolton Wanderers exit and play-off bid

    Before tonight's first leg, Forest Green Rovers striker Christian Doidge revealed his relief that his permanent move to Bolton fell through in January.

    A transfer embargo prevented Wanderers from signing the 26-year-old after an initial loan spell, sparking a bitter row between the clubs' chairmen.

    Bolton have since been relegated from the Championship and are now on the verge of entering administration.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:42 BST 10 May 2019

    #bbcefl

    Don't forget, you can have your say on tonight's game via #bbcefl on social media.

  16. Postpublished at 20:39 BST 10 May 2019

    HT: Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    This look of despair from Forest Green's Nathan McGinley following the early red card just about sums up the visitors' feelings in the first half.

    Nathan McGinley reactsImage source, PA
  17. Postpublished at 20:37 BST 10 May 2019

    HT: Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Tranmere have the advantage of an extra man, after Gavin Gunning's cynical red card on 15 minutes, and Ollie Banks' brilliant long-range strike separates these sides, with a quarter of this tie gone.

  18. HALF-TIMEpublished at 45+5 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Tranmere celebrate opening goal against Forest GreenImage source, Rex Features

    The hosts will be by far the happier, halfway through this first leg.

  19. Postpublished at 45+4 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    Jake Caprice provides for James Norwood once again but this time Norwood clips the ball just wide from a tough angle.

  20. CLOSE!published at 45+2 mins

    Tranmere 1-0 Forest Green

    It's so, so nearly 2-0 to Tranmere, as Jake Caprice picks out James Norwood at the far post with a brilliant cross from the right flank, but Norwood pokes just wide.