Rovers serve up a New Lawn shocker
FOREST Green players will hardly relish watching the DVD of their horror show they played out at the New Lawn.
In what was categorically their worst performance of the season, David Hockaday's side were taken to the cleaners by the part-timers from Southport.
The Merseysiders comfortably strolled to a 3-0 lead. However, late goals from Forest Green substitutes James Norwood and Yan Klukowski failed to paper over the cracks.
Hockaday's side were utterly woeful. Out-fought and out-muscled in every department. Nonetheless, a few positives were gleaned in the shape of Matty Taylor, who made a bright debut in place of the injured Reece Styche.
Jamie Turley certainly looked up for the fight and star signing Al Bangura displayed glimpses of his talent when stepping off the bench.
However, a bewildering performance left manager Hockaday chewing over his toothless side's second straight home defeat.
He said: "We weren't good enough today, they wanted it more than us and they worked harder than us.
"They came, they had a game plan and it worked for them.
"That's the first time this season that we didn't deserve anything from the game."
Rovers served up bilge as their normal easy on the eye free-flowing football was taken off the New Lawn menu.
Taylor looked lively, but his team-mates failed to follow suit and the anticipated goal against arrived on 33 minutes.
A Southport corner wasn't dealt with and the robust Earl Davis was on hand to bundle the ball past James Bittner from Kevin Lee's header. Rovers fired a quick riposte. Chris Allen broke from midfield and Taylor did well to get his shot off from 20 yards, but his effort fizzed agonisingly wide.
As the first half drew to a close, Bittner's long punt saw Taylor cleverly pick out James Rowe, who clipped the bar from 25 yards.
Rovers introduced Yan Klukowski after the break, but the Nailsworth side were caught cold just three minutes into the second half as Karl Ledham's free-kick was headed in by Simon Grand. Hockaday had seen enough and summoned Bangura from the bench.
Rovers rallied - Charlie Griffin shooting wide after Taylor's quick feet presented the veteran with a site on goal.
Port should have been two up when a flat-footed Rovers back four were caught square, but their blushes were spared as Alan Moogan shot wide with Bittner to beat.
Port put the game to bed on 73 minutes. Forbes' sloppy pass to Bangura allowed Shaun Whalley the chance to bend a superb 25-yard effort beyond Bittner.
The purposeful Norwood drilled in an 86th minute free-kick following a foul on Taylor and Klukowski headed home Forbes' free-kick in stoppage time for a flattering second.
