Lewer blasts his side as Tamworth defy the odds (From Gazette Series)

Lewer blasts his side as Tamworth defy the odds

Forest Green Rovers 1 Tamworth 1

FUMING Forest Green boss Alan Lewer laid into his players by telling them they aren't good enough, writes Will Saunders.

Lewer was hopping mad as his relegation-threatened side failed to make the extra man count after former Forest Green star Mark Cooper was red-carded for a crude challenge on Charlie Griffin, leaving Tamworth down to ten men for 88 minutes.

But the Lambs defended bravely and a lacklustre Rovers side were repeatedly frustrated despite enjoying the lion's share of the possession.

Lewer earlier handed out debuts to Paul Warhurst, Lewis Haldane, Mo Harkin and Robert Gill in a bid to give his struggling side fresh impetus.

However, it took a last-gasp Griffin penalty to secure a precious point for Rovers after the excellent Bob Taylor's earlier fine swivelling strike had put the visitors in front after 29 minutes.

Griffin's contentious penalty on 90 minutes gave Rovers a ray of hope in their continuing dogfight. Tamworth captain Aaron Brown was judged to have brought down substitute Gill in the area, leaving Griffin to knock in a rebound after his weak penalty was parried by Tamworth keeper Ryan Price.

The relief was palpable but it did not take a genius to figure out Lewer's reaction to the tepid performance, which leaves Rovers back in the relegation zone, one point behind fourth from bottom Northwich Victoria who gained a shock 2-0 victory over leaders Barnet.

"It was a poor performance," he said.

"At the end of the day they just aren't good enough. We have got to be capable of doing better than that and making the extra man count, which we haven't done. "It is another point onto the tally which is not good enough in the dogfight that we are in."

Lewer laid the blame for the Tamworth goal squarely at the feet of defender Adam Garner, who failed to curb Taylor's activities in the box.

But he had nothing but praise for veteran Warhurst, who showed true class with a comfortable performance.

Forest Green: Williams, Lyttle, Searle, Garner (Harkin 38), Warhurst, Rogers (Green 88), Harris, McAuley, Davies (Gill 68), Griffin, Haldane. Subs not used: Perrin, Davis.

L On Saturday Lewer's side travel to Carlisle and then welcome Hereford United to The Lawn on Tuesday night.