Non-league Forest Green denied FA Cup giant-killing

Non-league Forest Green missed out on a famous FA Cup giant-killing as Championship club Derby snatched a late 4-3 win in the third round on Saturday.

Jim Harvey's Conference side, playing at this stage of the competition for the first time in their history, looked on course for a shock victory when they stormed into a two-goal lead through Jonathan Smith and Alex Lawless at The New Lawn.

But Derby, who host Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, fought back from behind twice to avoid an embarrassing exit.

Rob Hulse threw the Rams a lifeline by pulling a goal back five minutes before the break and Martin Albrechtsen restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Rams caretaker manager Chris Hutchings, who took over from sacked boss Paul Jewell last week, must have feared his first game in charge of the former English champions would end in defeat when Paul Stonehouse put Forest Green ahead with 18 minutes to play.

However, Paul Green equalised four minutes later and Steve Davies sent Derby through with an 87th minute penalty after Lawless was sent off for a professional foul on Kris Commons.