Forest Green Rovers 0-2 Scunthorpe: Rovers investigate report of racist abuse

The alleged racist abuse was directed at Scunthorpe defender Jordan Clarke

Forest Green Rovers are investigating a report of racist abuse directed at a Scunthorpe United player during Saturday's game at the New Lawn.

The match, which Scunthorpe went on to win 2-0, was temporarily stopped by referee John Busby, who spoke to managers Mark Cooper and Paul Hurst.

A stadium announcement was relayed to the crowd in the wake of the incident.

Rovers said a "single fan" was being investigated for comments directed at Scunthorpe player Jordan Clarke.

In a statement on Twitter, the high-flying League Two club added: "We do not tolerate racism, and the ongoing investigation will end with a lifetime ban if found guilty."

Scunthorpe manager Hurst said Clarke had not heard the alleged abuse himself, with comments being reported to the fourth official before being brought to the attention of referee Busby.

The Iron boss also added that there had not been any discussion about players walking off the pitch in response.

"Jordan hadn't heard the comment, it was aimed at him but my understanding at the time was that he hadn't heard the comment so therefore they didn't feel it necessary to take players off," Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside.

"It (racism in football) is something that is getting a hell of a lot of press, and rightly so, and can't be in the game."

Hurst said he was "disappointed" by the incident but also praised Rovers for their handling of the situation.

"Forest Green have been very good afterwards and during the game with what they could control," he continued.

"They have wanted to deal with this and that is all you can ask for. It was made clear it was one fan and is not a criticism of Forest Green Rovers as a football club at all."

Gilliead & Eisa fire Iron to victory

Earlier, Scunthorpe had stretched their winning streak to five games with fine second-half strikes from Alex Gilliead and Abo Eisa after Forest Green striker Matty Stevens had missed the chance to put his side ahead from the penalty spot.

Rovers dominated a dour first half punctuated by a moment of succinct fluidity - Liam Shephard and Jack Aitchison traded passes for Farrend Rawson to arrow in a strike which Rory McArdle cleared off the line in the 19th minute.

Rovers looked sure to break the deadlock but Stevens contrived to lift the ball over Jake Eastwood and on to the top of the crossbar with 29 minutes on the clock.

Scunthorpe eventually broke the stalemate in the just before the hour. Gilliead was afforded time and space to run unopposed and slam the ball beyond Lewis Thomas from the edge of the box.

Eisa made it 2-0 with a fierce 25-yard drive that flew into the top corner as the Iron upstaged the hosts on a controversial day despite finishing a man down with Levi Sutton sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Match details supplied by PA Media.