Forest Green Rovers Ladies fell just short of getting their first points of the season after conceding in the 89th minute of their opening home game of the campaign writes Connor Laing.

It was Anusia Rourke who delivered the late blow for Middlezoy Rovers to snatch a 1-0 win at the death.

In a game neither side wanted to lose, it was the visitors who had the first chance of the match when striker Rourke went through on goal with just Becca Woods in goal to beat.

However, the FGR keeper made a strong save to her left-hand side to parry away.

The Middlezoy striker was denied again when Woods made another stop, this time down to her right side to prevent the visitors from taking the lead in the 20th minute.

Forest Green’s first real chance didn’t come until nearly half an hour into the game. The Middlezoy goalkeeper misjudged a ball which allowed Lucy Herbert in behind the goalkeeper. It was only thanks to an excellent defensive recovery tackle that prevented Herbert putting the ball in the back of the net.

Rourke went onto have a couple more chances later in the first half. On these two occasions, Woods was not called into action with one going just wide of her left post and one lobbed attempt sailing over the bar.

The second half began in a similar vein to the first, with neither team allowing space to create clear-cut opportunities.

Middlezoy did begin to have the better of the proceedings halfway through the second period when their rangy midfielder burst through the defence with a powerful run but her shot was straight at Woods.

With around ten minutes to play, the game was almost decided by a wonder strike when Middlezoy’s midfielder Nicole Bell saw her long-range half volley cannon off the crossbar.

It was a let off at the time for FGR but, unfortunately, it appeared their fate was already decided.

In the last minute, a ball was played through the middle and over the top of a Forest Green defence which hadn’t allowed too many clear chances until this point. The ball fell to Rourke who took a touch before slotting it past Woods into the back of the net.

It was heartbreak for Forest Green as the goal means they are yet to pick up a point this season.

They play at home again next week against Torquay United Ladies at Kingsway Sports Pavilion as they continue to look for their first goals and points of the new campaign.