Forest Green had goalkeeper Harry Isted to thank for several key saves as the Fleet were unlucky to exit the FA Trophy after an excellent team performance.
Rovers began the game with confidence but the Fleet were soon forcing them back although Toby Edser got an early yellow card as a referee with a high card count already this season added to that total by quite a number as the game went on.
Finlay Barnes had the first chance following neat possession play on the edge of the visitors’ box, but they eventually managed to clear their lines, before Dom Samuel headed Ronny Nelson’s ball off target.
Moments later Samuel came close from a great move as Fleet worked the ball out of defence under pressure and then down the flank. Samuel darted quickly down the left and beat his man but his final effort hit goalkeeper Isted and was hacked cleared by a covering defender.
The Fleet kept coming and went close again when Josh Coley tried to wrap his foot around a shot into the top right corner but his effort curled away just around the upright. At the other end, Mustapha Olagunju brilliantly denied Kairo Mitchell with a last-ditch tackle in the six-yard box.
Despite a dominant opening period from the Fleet, the National League side ended the half well and they found the breakthrough on 41 minutes. A quick counterattack upfield saw the Fleet defence looking for the offside flag before an initial shot from Isaac Moore was blocked on the line by Ben Coker but the ball rebounded clear and Moore was able to find the bottom right corner.
Ben Chapman was introduced for the second-half and Fleet continued to look the better side. Josh Passley’s headed effort looked destined for the roof of the net, but hit Isted and went behind for a corner. Moments later Forest Green saw a close-range effort clip the woodwork.
Maxx Manktelow unleashed a half volley from distance that flew just wide of the near post with Kwesi Appiah coming agonisingly close with a short-range header from Chapman’s clever dipping cross.
Chances again arrived for the Fleet as a goalmouth scramble saw Ronny Nelson drill a shot towards goal after Olagunju’s initial effort but that too was gathered by Isted as it stuck between his legs.
And Aaron Cosgrave got away behind his man and looked to square it for Appiah but decided to take it on himself, that chance being denied by Harvey Bunker.
The Fleet were going all out for the equaliser but the visitors were able to secure their place in the next round when Abraham Kanu got on the end of a cross after a free-kick delivery out wide to steer a shot past Jonathan Macaulay.
EUFC: Macaulay, Olagunju, Ehmer (Manktelow 68), Nelson, Passley, Hessenthaler, Edser (Kennedy 60), Coker, Barnes (Appiah), Coley (Chapman 46, Samuel (Cosgrave 68). Subs: Peake, Hall
FGRFC: Isted, Kengni, Mendy, Haughton, Clarke (McAllister 61mins), Bunker, Moore (Kanu 61mins), Pemberton (Buyabu 73mins), Robson (Knowles 61mins), Nwoko, Mitchell (Babalola 73mins). Subs not used: Pagel, Doidge.
Attendance: 877
Images courtesy of Ebbsfleet United: Dave Plumb, Tom Harris, Sam Wheatland