A virtuoso goalkeeping masterclass from Reading loanee Lewis Ward helped Forest Green earn a 1-1 draw against play-off rivals Carlisle.

Reece Brown's eighth goal of the season in the 31st minute gave Rovers the lead, but Nathan Thomas levelled things up three minutes after the restart.

Carlisle should have been ahead on 24 minutes when Danny Grainger's corner moved like a beach ball to leave Ward flapping, but Nathan Thomas watched his stooping header clip the crossbar.

Two minutes later Thomas breezed inside Nathan McGinley, but Ward imposed himself to produce a fine block.

Rovers served a riposte to take the lead seven minutes later as Christian Doidge played in Brown, who lashed in a sumptuous strike from the edge of the box.

Carlisle were back in the game after 49 minutes. Nathan McGinley had his pocket picked by Thomas, who finally found his shooting boots to level proceedings.

The goal knocked Rovers' confidence, but Ward came to their rescue, saving well to divert a Mike Jones stinger over and then diving across his goal to tip a Thomas strike wide.

Ward kept the game level, producing another great save to deny Regan Slater with nine minutes to go, while at the other end, Rovers substitute George Williams smashed against a post from 35 yards three minutes later.

Forest Green remain sixth on 58 points and Carlisle drop to ninth, a point behind Rovers.

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