Forest Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill revealed his disappointment that the squad didn’t progress into the next round of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Stockport County
“I thought they (the players) were magnificent,” Cotterill said. “We ended up losing a game we didn’t deserve to lose. I thought we were excellent in everything we did.
“We had a couple of disruptions with injuries leading up to the game and then again during the game. I don’t think I have ever been prouder of the team in my time here than I am.”
Dave Challinor’s side opened the scoring in the 64th minute after a chest and volley from centre-half, Fraser Horsfall.
Rovers were back level just 18 minutes later after substitute, Christian Doidge, who had only been on for two minutes capitalised on a defensive mistake and slotted home past Ben Hinchliffe.
“Great goal, great finish,” Cotterill said on Doidge’s effort. “I think Quigs (Joe Quigley) had done a lot of work up there when we were 4-3-3 and then when we changed to 4-2-4 I thought we were a real threat and then obviously Doidgey came on and then we could freshen it up and we could go 4-4-2.
“Cards (Harry Cardwell) came on as well who we have been protecting a little bit over the last couple of weeks, that has given Quigs an opportunity. The only thing that was missing from him was a goal and he deserved one.”
Stockport went back in front in the seventh minute of extra-time when Kyle Wootton had an open net to tap home into after a deflected effort found his feet.
Jamie Searle has not made a league appearance yet this season, but has started in every cup competition so far as first-choice goalkeeper, Jed Ward and Fiachra Pagel were both cup-tied following loan agreements and playing for other teams in the competition.
“I thought he was good today and I am really pleased for him,” Cotterill said on Searle’s performance. “He doesn’t get a lot of football and it is obviously difficult for a goalkeeper when you don’t get start after start.
“He has trained really well, he just had that game earlier in the season where he would’ve been rusty in the cup, but after that I thought his performances have been very good for us.”
Rovers are back to playing again on Tuesday night in a different cup competition, this time it will be the National League Cup against Stoke City Under-21s at The New Lawn.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe; Onyango (Wootton 76), Hughes, Horsfall; Diamond (Touray 77), Norwood (Southam-Hales 67), Bailey, Adaramola (Rydel 67), Fevrier; Olaofe, Mellon (Bate 32). Subs not used. Addai, Connolly, Collar, Fiorini.
Forest Green Rovers: Searle; Long (Jenks 116), Tozer (Cardwell 70), Moore-Taylor, Robson; May, McCann, Bunker; McAllister (Omotoye 120), Quigley (Doidge 81), Knowles (Lavinier 119).
Referee: Scott Tallis.
Attendance: 4,624.
