FOREST Green ended their home programme for the season on a high on Saturday, sweeping Rushden and Diamonds aside with contemptuous ease.

The Diamonds had nothing to play for, and all that was missing from their woeful display were the deckchairs and sun cream, such was the end-of-season feel to their performance.

But take nothing away from Forest Green - from the first minute they were in such command that it was merely a question of how many they would score.

Goalkeeper Terry Burton was a virtual spectator, save two long-range first-half shots which came about from Rovers mistakes.

Mark Preece and Lee Ayres' ever-impressive central defensive partnership also had one of its' easier afternoons, such was the lack of attacking threat from Rushden.

Andy Mangan took advantage to rack up his third hat-trick of the season and now sits on the verge of becoming the Blue Square Premier's top scorer, to follow Stuart Fleetwood's achievement last season.

But he was indebted to Adriano Rigoglioso, who scored the other goal and set up two for Mangan in a fine display.

The pair linked up after six minutes for the opener, as Rigoglioso put Mangan away, and the striker produced one of his trademark one-on-one finishes to get Rovers on the way.

While Burton was putting his feet up at the other end, Dale Roberts in the Rushden goal was kept busy with a Rigoglioso free-kick, and shots from Conal Platt and Alex Lawless to deal with.

Any worries about the destination of the three points were already allayed, although Darren Jones and Lee Fowler tried to make things interesting by gifting the ball to Andy Burgess and Rob Wolleaston, but they couldn't take advantage.

Rovers doubled the lead on 38 minutes, clever inter-play between Paul Lloyd and Lawless seeing the latter release Rigoglioso, who drove his shot across Roberts from the right-hand side of the area.

Mangan and Lawless missed further chances before a shell-shocked Rushden were given a 15-minute rest from the bombardment.

It resumed with Rigoglioso and Jones being denied by Roberts, and even three Rushden changes in ten minutes didn't turn the tide.

Rigoglioso made the third goal after 71 minutes, chasing a lost cause down the right wing and crossing for Mangan, who netted at the second attempt after some undistinguished goalkeeping from Roberts.

Rigoglioso took a well-deserved rest 14 minutes from time, and Mangan applied the coup de grace after 82 minutes.

Simon Downer was booked for a crude challenge on Curtis McDonald 20 yards out. Lawless and Platt worked a nice routine to find Mangan in the box, and he was felled by Lee Tomlin.

Sensing his big chance, Mangan grabbed the ball in double-quick time and gleefully rammed it past Roberts.

That's 29 for the season - but whether it is Mangan's last Rovers goal at the New Lawn remains to be seen.

On this showing, Jim Harvey will be keen to keep this side together - whether he is able to is another story.

Forest Green (4-4-1-1): Burton, Jones (Baldwin 86), Preece, Ayres, McDonald, Lloyd (Else 78), Lawless, Fowler, Platt, Rigoglioso (Smith 76) Mangan.

Subs: Robinson, Palmer.

Rushden (4-4-2): Roberts, Corcoran, Hope, Downer, Robinson, Wolleaston (Beecroft 61), McNamara, Burgess, Kelly (Rankine 54), Cousins (Tomlin 64), Smith. Subs: McGuiness, Hilliard.

Gazette star man: Adriano Rigoglioso.

Referee: Amy Rayner (Leics).

Attendance: 1185