It was a difficult evening in West Lancashire, as Harvey Broard’s brace saw Rovers fall to a 2-0 defeat against AFC Fylde.
The first half saw both sides have chances, but neither could break the deadlock.
Broard and Fylde scored twice in three second-half minutes, which secured the points for the home side.
First Half
The first half at Mill Farm Stadium was a largely open and entertaining affair.
Both teams had lots of possession and chances to break the deadlock.
Forest Green had the first real chance of the game with Nick Haughton firing just over after nine minutes.
Ethan Ross was called into action for the first time just a minute later, keeping out Greg Olley.
It was an eventful start, and Kyle McAllister went close to giving FGR the lead, but Zac Jones was equal to it.
Rovers came close again just ten minutes later; however, Rees couldn’t get on the end of Haughton’s cross.
Fylde then came close through Ethan Mitchell, but his effort failed to beat Ross in the Rovers goal.
Berry had the last real chance of the half, but Jones pulled off an impressive save to keep things level.
The first half was a good watch despite the scoreline, and both teams will have felt they could have gone in at the break ahead.
Half Time - AFC Fylde 0-0 FGR
Second Half
The second half started as the first finished, and Rovers played well until a crazy few minutes changed the game completely.
Etaluku looked bright when he came on for an injured Berry shortly after half-time, immediately beating his man on the right, but Merrie defended his cross well.
There was activity on the bench in the 63rd minute with D’Mani Mellor and Kyle Kelly replacing Ricardo Rees and Kyle Haughton.
And then the game turned.
The home side took the lead in the 65th minute, with Harvey Broard beating Ross from close range.
The Coasters doubled their lead just three minutes later as Broard got his second of the game, volleying home Aaron Drewe’s cross.
The goals, unsurprisingly, knocked the wind out of the lads, and despite a few flurries forward they couldn't break down a well-drilled Fylde side.
Rovers had a couple of chances of a consolation late on, Clarke hitting the side netting from a tight angle and in the final minute, Syd Agina's had the ball in the back of the net but was flagged offside.
The travelling fans deserve a special mention after a long journey; their support was amazing.
Robbie Savage’s side are back in GL6 on Bank Holiday Monday, taking on Altrincham, looking to bounce back.
Full Time - AFC Fylde 2-0 FGR
The Teams
AFC Fylde: Jones, Broard, Mitchell, Merrie, Olley, Lancaster, Whelan, Upton (Thomas 83’), Main, Drewe, Lewis
Subs not used - Boyes, Mayor, Jackson, Morris, Meadowcroft, Stritch
FGR: Ross, Clarke, Campbell, McAllister, Haughton (Kelly 63’), Rees (Mellor 63’), Berry (Etaluku 49’), Patrick, Agina, Mabete, Sass (Osude 74’)
Subs not used - McNicholas, Ajayi, Ewing
Attendance: 1235 (138 away)
