Bridgwater Town's patched-up side put up a spirited fight but Cinderford Town were delighted with the three points, having played four games in seven days.
With three players suspended and others injured, Bridgwater could barely raise a team and manager Rob Dray will not be happy with the sending off of Josh Turner for two yellow cards.
Both sides finished with 10 men after Cinderford's Max Etheridge also received his marching orders earlier for a double yellow.
The only goal came in the 19th minute when top scorer Nick McCootie netted, taking advantage of a poor clearance.
Bridgwater wasted two good scoring chances, one in each half. Lewis Irish shot over the bar and Jack Durrant screwed his effort wide.
For Cinderford, a powerful early run from Jeanne saw him narrowly miss the target while Town keeper Alex Harris produced a superb-one handed reaction save to keep out Piper's header from Irish's cross.
Cinderford went in front on 19 minutes when a Jeanne cross was met by Etheridge, whose effort was tipped onto the bar by Wood but Mc Cootie, following up, despatched the rebound.
Turner headed wastefully wide for the visitors then Town had Etheridge sent off and facing a stiff task to preserve their lead.
However, the defence, well marshalled by Pete Macklin and Andy Lewis, stood firm coping comfortably with the visitors' attack.
Indeed a neat interchange between Haines and McCootie saw the latter miss a great chance to extend the lead. For Bridgwater, Irish should have tested Harris from Mercieca's cross.
Following a scrappy start to the second half, Bridgwater were themselves reduced to ten men on 61 minutes when a crude tackle by Turner earned him a second yellow card.
McCootie and Peters both had chances to double Town's advantage but were unable to take them.
Hancock then produced a slick pass to free McCootie but Wood, anticipating the danger, made a fine diving save.
As time ebbed away a skilful run by Durrant was wasted when he contrived a woeful strike at goal. However, undaunted he almost snatched a point seconds later with a long range drive that narrowly cleared the bar.
Cinderford are at home to Wimborne town on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.