Savage’s side would have been mathematically safe in the top seven had they held on to the lead they grabbed with 10 men, but they allowed Luke Jephcott to steal in and level with six minutes remaining.

The visitors saw their task become tougher when Abraham Kanu was dismissed for clearing out Jack Stretton on the hour mark but they nicked in front when substitute Tom Knowles squeezed home at the far post from Kyle McAllister’s delivery.

The Tinners kept pushing on their penultimate home appearance before dropping back down and got their reward when Jephcott finished, leaving Forest Green nine points and 18 goals above eighth-placed Halifax, with three games to play.