Start my first mod and plugins server?

Hey everyone,

I would really like to start a server where I can have mods and plugins. I have gotten a forge server but plugins don't work there, and a bukkit server only has plugins?

I'm so confused on where to start, I know normally it's cauldron but that has quit now.

Any other option for me to use? I want to use a 1.7.2 server.