Boreham Wood boss Ian Allinson has called for his side to play without fear ahead of another tough encounter against top-of-the-table Forest Green Rovers tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

Wood, who have faced a difficult start to life in the re-branded National League, head into the match in indifferent form.

An opening-day victory against FC Halifax Town at Meadow Park has been followed by consecutive defeats at Eastleigh and Gateshead.

Looking ahead to the clash, Allinson said: “We are playing the league leaders and so I expect a difficult night but it is also a game I am confident of getting a result in and not one we will fear.

“That shows you how highly I rate our young squad and trust me; it has ability, bags of character and belief.”

He continued: “I would also like to give a mention to our travelling supporters, who have been absolutely different class so far this season.

“They have shown a real commitment to the team by travelling to Eastleigh last Tuesday night and then by getting themselves up to Gateshead just four days later. They have already seen, like me, that this league is a lot tougher than the Conference South.

“But if we stick together, if we don’t get carried away with a victory and don’t get too downhearted with a defeat, then we will not only surprise a few, we will survive and then we will prosper in this league.”

Forest Green, who lost out in the Conference play-offs last season after finishing fifth, have good reason to be confident going into this clash after picking up three wins from three to sit atop the division by two points.

Wood will have to be wary of the individual threats Rovers possess, including forward Aaron O’Connor, who has shone during this early stage in the season by scoring three goals in as many games.

Signed this summer from League Two side Newport County, the 32-year-old striker had scored 29 league goals in 69 starts for the Exiles before his summer switch.

Speaking after Rovers’ 4-0 victory over Barrow on Saturday, manager Ady Pennock told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “It was very good – another clean sheet – we have got goals in the team, so I am very pleased with the result.”

Striker Jon Parkin, who scored 30 goals in 52 appearances last season, is likely to return to action against Wood after missing the Barrow win through injury.

Pennock added: “We missed Jon (Parkin) because he brings so much to the table, but there was no point using him for the sake of using him. We've got good back-up and strong options.”

The two clubs meet for the first time in a competitive fixture after Boreham reached the top table of non-league football for the first time in their history. Forest Green, on the other hand, first won promotion to the National League in 1998.

Green have one of the bigger budgets in the National League following a takeover by current chairman Dale Vince in August 2010, which has enabled Rovers to acquire a number of big-name additions.

Borehamwood Times: Keanu Marsh-Brown (left) in pre-season action against West Bromwich Albion. Picture: Action ImagesKeanu Marsh-Brown (left) in pre-season action against West Bromwich Albion. Picture: Action Images

The most recent of which was 22-year-old Barnet winger Keanu Marsh Brown for an undisclosed fee after featuring sparingly during the Bees’ Conference title win last season. An England ‘C’ international, the former Arsenal and Fulham youngster cost Rovers a six-figure fee when he moved to the New Lawn this summer.

Parkin, 33, joined last summer after his release from League One side Fleetwood Town and the 6ft 4in forward boasts bags of Football League experience with the likes of Hull City, Stoke City and Cardiff City previously.