Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the first leg of the Conference Premier playoff semi-final between Forest Green Rovers and Bristol Rovers.

After a marathon season which has seen each club feature in 46 league games as well as complete their FA Cup and FA Trophy commitments, we have finally reached the playoffs stages of the Conference Premier, and what a game we should have in store this evening as Forest Green Rovers and Bristol Rovers, separated by just 30 miles, go head to head.

For Forest Green, this match represents the biggest opportunity in their history to earn a place in the Football League. Ever since they earned promotion to the Conference back in 1998, the club have been attempting, and failing, to make a statement at the top of the standings, but tonight, they have the chance to move closer to achieving their dream after 125 years operating as a non-league side.

As far as Bristol Rovers are concerned, they are attempting to earn an immediate return to League Two. Last season saw Rovers drop out of the Football League for the first time in almost a century, but despite missing out on the league title, they are huge favourites to come through the playoffs over the next couple of weeks. That said, with expectation comes pressure, and they are the team who have the most to lose rather than Forest Green, Grimsby Town and Eastleigh.

BRISTOL ROVERS XI: Puddy, Lockyer, McChrystal, Parkes, Brown, Gosling, Lines, Mansell, Monkhouse, Taylor, Harrison

BRISTOL ROVERS SUBSTITUTES: Mildenhall, Leadbitter, Clarke, Balanta, Blissett

As expected, Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke names an unchanged starting lineup for tonight's match. He had no reason to change a thing - his team thrashed Alfreton Town 7-0 in their last game!

We are still awaiting news on the Forest Green lineup so for now, let's take a look back at their season.

Back in August, Adrian Pennock's outfit were expected to be one of a number of teams in with a shout of a top-five position and with Macclesfield Town faltering at the final hurdle and the likes of Woking and Gateshead slipping up near the end of the campaign, they have managed to nick the remaining spot. The club have been consistent both home and away, with 22 wins being recorded in their 46 games. They are heavily reliant on the goals of Jon Parkin, but they have shown throughout the season that they are more than a one-man team.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS XI: Arnold, Pipe, Clough, Bennett, Wedgbury, Fleetwood, Racine, Guthrie, Frear, Sinclair, Parkin

FOREST GREEN SUBSTITUTES: Russell, Norwood, Kamdjo, Coles, Marwood

Pennock has made just one change to the team that drew with Dover Athletic on Saturday. Tom Bender has been sidelined by a hamstring problem, giving Sam Wedgbury the chance to come into the side.

With less than 25 minutes to go until kickoff, let's take a quick look at Bristol Rovers' season. They began the season as title favourites but just one win from their five opening games quickly put them on the back foot. The club have recovered superbly to put together a run of form that has only seen one defeat suffered in 29 league outings, but as we have seen in the past, form can count for very little in the playoffs. The club have only recorded eight wins from 23 on the road, but 12 of the remaining 15 have been draws and they could be difficult to beat this evening.

HEAD-TO-HEAD! Given that both of their regular league fixtures took place by the middle of October, the results are unlikely to play much part in the buildup to this game. For what it is worth though, Jon Parkin earned Forest Green a point at The New Lawn, before an early goal from Daniel Coles helped Forest Green to a narrow victory at The Memorial Ground.

PREDICTION! This is a tricky one to call, and that's leading to us predicting a 1-1 draw. Forest Green have averaged nearly two points per game at home this season but Bristol Rovers should prove a tough nut to crack.

Before we get going tonight, we should point out that the second legs of this game and the Eastleigh versus Grimsby Town contest will both take place on Sunday. And guess what? You can catch them both with Sports Mole

The two teams are beginning to congregate in the tunnel. They are set to be welcomed by a crowd who are making more noise than their numbers would suggest.

The two teams have made their way out onto the pitch at The New Lawn. We look all set to get underway in just a few seconds.

After a bit of a delay, Forest Green get us underway.

The opening few minutes have all been played on the right flank of Bristol Rovers. However, after winning the first corner of the match, the chance was wasted after two crosses failed to find their target.

Up the other end, Jon Parkin, who has scored 18 goals in his last 19 league games, has an opportunity on the edge of the penalty area but his effort was weak and straight into the hands of Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Will Puddy.

Moments later, Rob Sinclair was provided with an opening inside the penalty area but he could only direct his shot wide of the target. It's been a lively start from both teams.

Unlike at the start of most first legs, there are no nerves or pessimism here. Matty Taylor, formerly of Forest Green Rovers, finds some space in and around the penalty area but his low drive is always going wide of the post.

The first significant shot on target comes from Bristol Rovers midfielder Jake Gosling, but he can only find the hands of goalkeeper Steve Arnold. This surely can't end goalless...

Bristol Rovers have started to build up a head of steam over the past few minutes. Moments after a threatening cross is headed behind, striker Ellis Harrison headed off target after being found from the resulting corner.

Just as I mention that, Bristol Rovers go and take the lead! It had to be Matty Taylor too. The former Forest Green player was provided with the ball around eight yards from goal and he made no mistake with the calm finish into the bottom right corner. First blood to the visitors.

Shortly after his opener, Taylor turned provider to set up Ellis Harrison, but his striker partner drive went wide. Forest Green need to be careful here. They can't afford to be going into the second leg with more than a one-goal deficit. Falling two goals behind at this stage would be a huge blow.

These are definitely worrying times for the home side. Moments after Ellis Harrison saw a header cleared off the line by Jon Parkin, the ball was forced onto the post during a goal-mouth scramble. The final touch could have come from Harrison.

Talking of Parkin, he hasn't seen much of the ball in the other final third. He's Forest Green's first port of call, but the Bristol Rovers backline are doing an effective job so far.

More positive work from Bristol Rovers, who create another shot on goal through Jake Gosling. Steve Arnold is on hand to make the save though from the 20-yard effort.

Forest Green finally have some joy in an attacking area but it's not enough to find an equaliser. It was Rob Sinclair with the shot from the edge of the area but it was straight at goalkeeper Will Puddy, who has enjoyed a routine opening 35 minutes.

We've just five minutes to go in the first half at The New Lawn. Bristol Rovers have bossed large part of the opening 45 minutes but they are still only a goal to the good.

SAVE! How important will this be at the end of the tie? Tom Lockyer set up Matty Taylor in the centre of the penalty area but the striker could only watch on as Steve Arnold pulled off a stunning save down to his right.

A minute later, Arnold is forced into action again but he does well to keep his eye on a Chris Lines effort that came through a group of players. Forest Green are handing on here...

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at the New Lawn and Bristol Rovers hold a deserved advantage over Forest Green. In truth, the hosts are fortunate to only be trailing by the one strike, which came from former striker Matty Taylor, and Adrian Pennock is going to need to deliver the team talks of all team talks to get his side playing at the level of their opponents.

The stats don't make good reading from a Forest Green perspective. Bristol Rovers created 14 opportunities during that half compared to six from the home side. If Bristol Rovers create a similar number of chances during the second period, you'd expect them to have netted at least three goals, which might be too much for Forest Green to come back from.

From Darrell Clarke's perspective, he must decide whether to stick or twist. He may be content with heading into the second leg with a one-goal advantage but you feel as though there are more goals out there for his side.

The two teams are slowly making their way back out for the second half. We should be underway in just a couple of minutes.

Bristol Rovers get us started in the second half.

In contrast to the start of the first half, it's been a relatively quiet opening to the second 45 minutes. Forest Green have had the better of the ball though, with Elliott Frear drawing a solid stop out of Will Puddy from distance.

We've not quite reached this stage, have we? To his credit, it's a decent attempt but Jon Parkin is never going to beat Will Puddy from 45 yards, which is what he has just attempted. Still, it's been a promising start from Forest Green.

A response from Bristol Rovers sees a neat move find Matty Taylor inside the penalty area but the striker is offside. His goal remains the difference between the two teams.

Forest Green were definitely read the riot act at half time. Charlie Clough makes inroads from a defensive position but he is well seen off by the Bristol Rovers defence.

More good work from Matty Taylor sees him get yet another shot in on goal - how many has that been now?! On this occasion though, his attempt is wayward and Forest Green survive. We are at that stage of the game where changes will presumably take place in the next 10 minutes or so.

SUBSTITUTION! I promise that I didn't see this beforehand...! Adrian Pennock makes the first change of the evening, replacing Stuart Fleetwood with James Marwood.

BOOKINGS! Immediately afterwards, Forest Green's Dale Bennett and Bristol Rovers' Ellis Harrison have found their way into the referee's notebook.

As we enter the final quarter of the match, David Pipe delivers a cross deep into the penalty area but a Bristol Rovers defender is on hand to head the ball behind for a corner. Nothing comes from the resulting set piece, though.

BOOKING! Charlie Clough is the third man in the space of eight minutes to be booked by the referee.

Chances have been few and far between in this half. I guess we were spoilt during the first half! Forest Green have 15 minutes to find an equaliser, but a part of them may be content with this scoreline. It was looking a lot worse earlier in the match.

RED CARD! Why on earth has he done that?! Ellis Harrison has received a second yellow card for an unnecessary challenge on goalkeeper Steve Arnold and he has been dismissed. Game changer?

Forest Green fancy this now. Soon after the sending off, Kurtis Guthrie shows great composure to wait for the ball to drop for him before firing a terrific effort inches wide of the post. 10 minutes to go.

They aren't quite laying siege on the Bristol Rovers goal, but Forest Green are certainly pushing hard. After a couple of shots are blocked, Aarran Racine eventually finds a way through but his strike goes wide.

Another chance goes begging for Forest Green as Kurtis Guthrie's neat flick goes wide of the post. Clever effort, but time is ticking. Bristol Rovers are content to try to see this one out.

We are into added-on time at the New Lawn. It's now or never for Forest Green as far as this first leg is concerned.

OFF THE LINE! So close for Forest Green! A cross into the area found Aarran Racine but his header was cleared off the line by a Bristol Rovers defender before Charlie Clough struck the woodwork! Bristol Rovers are just about hanging on.

The final whistle goes at The New Lawn and an early goal from Matty Taylor has proven to be the difference. Despite being on the back foot for much of the first half, Forest Green probably deserves a share of the spoils but they are going to have to overturn a one-goal deficit if they want to reach the final on May 17.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. We hope to see you again for the second leg on Sunday afternoon. Goodbye for now.