Forest Green Rovers exited at the First Round stage of the FA Cup after a spirited performance saw a 4-3 defeat versus Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town held the commanding position going into the break as they led by two thanks to goals from Lamine Fanne and Nahki Wells.
Wells added to that lead in the second period before an incredible comeback saw Tom Knowles, Kyle McAllister and Aidan Dausch all on target for FGR from the bench to make it 3-3.
Laurent Mendy then hit the bar before a killer blow as the clock struck 90, with Gideon Kouda played in for Luton to strike home.
First-half
The first big chance of the game went to Forest Green as debutant Sean Etaluku’s cross found Jili Buyabu at the back post, but he was unable to direct his effort on target.
Neither side threatened anything else until Luton should’ve been ahead, as Wells found Jake Richards, and he set up Fanne, who couldn’t direct his effort on target.
Two minutes later, Fanne was presented with the ball in an extremely similar fashion by Wells, and this time he took his chance to put the Hatters one up in the cup tie.
It was the home side who doubled their lead soon after, as Cohen Bramall’s free-kick forced a save from Fiachra Pagel, which fell to Wells, and he was able to tap it home easily.
Just before half-time, Robbie Savage’s side searched for a route back into the game and nearly found it as initially Buyabu’s shot was deflected behind for a corner and then from the resulting set-piece the 22-year-old had two great chances which were both blocked by the Luton defence.
Half-time: Luton Town 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
Tom Knowles and Kyle McAllister were introduced at the break, and inside the first five minutes of the second half, they both had opportunities, but couldn’t find the target.
Luton extended their lead to three when Isiah Jones, Richards and Fanne combined to set the ball on a plate for Wells, who got his second of the evening.
Knowles was able to reduce the deficit thirty minutes from time as his shot from distance was deflected by Josh Keeley into the Luton net.
Only five minutes later, Forest Green were right back in the tie as Harry Whitwell was brought down in the box and McAllister stepped up to slot the ball in the bottom right corner.
The comeback was completed when Whitwell’s cross got a slight touch from McAllister and was then cleared by a Luton defender to Dausch, who smashed it in for his first goal for the club.
Moments later, McAllister’s free-kick found Laurent Mendy at the back post, and his header cannoned off the bar from close range.
In stoppage time, Gideon Kodua got the winner for Luton as he was slipped in by Jerry Yates and rifled the ball home.
Full-time: Luton Town 4-3 Forest Green Rovers
Luton Town: Keeley, Lonwijk, Mengi, Naismith, Bramall, Walsh (Nelson 62), Saville, Jones (Al-Hamadi 62), Lamine Fanne (Odoffin 90), Richards (Kodua 71), Wells (Yates 71).
Subs not used: Shea, Alli, Andersen, Makosso.
Forest Green: Pagel, Pemberton, Mendy, Kanu (Inniss 59), Buyabu, Bunker, Moore (Balagizi 73), Whitwell, Etaluku (Knowles 46), Kengni (McAllister 46), Babalola (Dausch 59).
Subs not used: McNicholas, Clarke, Haughton, Moore-Taylor.
Attendance: 4511 (462 Away)
