Paul Lewis’ dramatic winner gave Macc victory in a twisty-turny affair at Forest Green.

Macc would have happily gone home with a point after being pegged back midway through the second half but the youth team product headed a brilliant first goal for Macc in the 93rd minute to delight his manager.

“We rode our luck at times and in the second half when they got the equaliser they put us under a lot of pressure but for Paul to come on and score the winner is great, for the club and for him,” said John Askey, who’s now won five of six games.

Macc had got off on the wrong foot at the New Lawn as their top scorer from last season Matthew Barnes-Homer struck what always felt was an inevitable opener 10 minutes in.

A surge down the left by full-back Chris Stokes resulted in Barnes-Homer picking his spot and slotting home.

But Macc moved through the gears with Chris Holroyd heading Peter Winn’s cross wide and Connor Jennings just clearing the bar.

And the pressure told when the Silkmen found an equaliser from an unlikely source, Steve Williams showing great composure to level on 41 minutes.

Winn’s determined run set up another chance for Holroyd but when he sliced the ball fell for the big centre-back who leisurely pitched it into the top corner of the net.

Magno Vieira would have restored the hosts’ lead early in the second half but for a goalline block by Joe Connor.

Macc took the lead on the hour mark, with Winn again the provider. After Jack Mackreth’s cross came through to him he slipped a neat ball inside which Danny Whitaker sidefooted tidily beyond Rovers keeper Sam Russell.

James Bolton, a first-half replacement for the injured Andy Halls, preserved the lead with a second goalline clearance to deny Marcus Kelly.

But two Forest Green subs did draw them level, as Yan Klukowski scored from the penalty spot following a foul by Rhys Taylor. James Norwood got through the defence and was felled as he was going past Taylor, who was spared a red card by the retreating defenders. Though he was happy to still be on the pitch, Taylor guessed wrong when Klukowski stepped up for the spot-kick.

Barnes-Homer blasted over and Taylor just kept out Norwood’s fierce shot and a header from Danny Wright as Forest Green sensed a victory.

But the winner came at the other end midway through four minutes of added-on time, teenage midfielder Lewis heading in Danny Andrew’s cross to send 93 visiting fans – and the manager who rates him so highly – home delighted.

MACC: Taylor, Halls (Bolton 32), Connor, Williams, Andrew, Mackreth, Whitaker, Turnbull, Winn, Holroyd (Boden 70), Jennings (Lewis 80). Subs not used: Gnahoua, Rowe.

FOREST GREEN: Russell, Asafu-Adjaye, Oshodi, Pilkington, Stokes, Kelly, Vieira (Klukowski 61), Barry (Koroma 89), Barnes-Homer, Wright, Mangan (Norwood 57). Subs not used: Bulman, Forbes.