Exeter City forward Jevani Brown grabbed a hat-trick against his former club Forest Green Rovers in an emphatic victory.

Brown struck twice from the penalty spot as Matt Taylor's side kept in touch with the League One play-off places.

Rovers pressed the self-destruct button after six minutes, Blackpool loanee Oliver Casey squandering possession for Brown to find Sam Nombe who finished beyond Luke McGee.

The Grecians were handed a penalty on 25 minutes when Ben Stevenson's high boot appeared to catch Rekeem Harper, leaving Brown to convert the spot-kick.

Exeter made it three in the 41st minute. Fulham loanee Jay Stansfield driving into the box for Brown to grab his second.

After the break, McGee's save from a Pierce Sweeney volley on 63 minutes prevented a fourth for Exeter.

Rovers felt they had claims for a penalty with 20 minutes to go when Dom Bernard was pushed in the box by Jack Sparkes.

But the spot-kick came at the other end on 83 minutes when Bernard upended Sparkes, leaving Brown to score his second penalty and third of the match.

After the match, boss Ian Burchnall explained how injuries are hampering his side: "We have about four of our regular five back-line out and having to rely a lot on young lads.

"We could not play with a three at the back today so we had to adapt and play a four and we looked uncomfortable in the shape.

"It's asking a lot of these youngsters to come in and do a job for us, it's been a difficult period for us at the moment."