NOT even a floodlight failure could rescue Forest Green from defeat against league leaders Oxford United at the New Lawn last night.

A stunning goal from James Constable separated the sides before a 14-minute hold-up when the lights went out and the stadium was plunged into darkness 42 minutes into the game.

All the lights around the ground went off so it soon became clear that it was a power cut.

It was a very blustery night and United had to play against the strong wind in the first half, which gave the home side a distinct advantage.

Constable raced behind the Rovers defence in the 23rd minute, onto a pass from Francis Green, cut in purposefully from the left past Jarad Hodgkiss, and hit a glorious angled shot over the keeper and into the goal for his 14th of the season.

In the 33rd minute, it needed a fine save from goalkeeper Ryan Clarke to prevent Rovers equalising. From a left-wing corner, Oli Thorne directed a downward header goalwards, and Clarke palmed it out, before it was scrambled clear.

Green provided a right-wing chipped cross which almost brought Jack Midson a goal, but his header deflected off a defender's head for a corner.

The stadium was suddenly plunged into darkness in the 42nd minute, leaving the crowd and all those taking part stunned.

All the lights in the neighbouring town and villages had gone out as well, signalling a major power cut.

There were real concerns about safety issues for the crowd, because the only way any spectator could see in front of him was if he had a match or mobile phone.

But light returned, and the players were soon back out onto the pitch to play the remainder of the first half.

Green’s burst down the right set up Dannie Bulman for a shot which narrowly missed the right post.

Midson laid on a chance for Green, who fired in a low left-footed drive that Burton did well to save.

The rain started driving from one end to the other in the second half, making conditions even harder for both teams.

Ten minutes from time, Midson hit a great volley from the left edge of the area that the keeper just kept out with a full-length dive to his left.

Chapman had a 30-yard, wind-assisted free-kick saved, and then right at the death Clarke made an excellent brave save down at the feet of Platt.

The defeat leaves Forest Green in the bottom four of the Blue Square Premier, five points adrift of safety.

Forest Green: Burton, Hodgkiss, Preece, Thorne, Stonehouse, Platt, Brown, Smith, Rocastle, Powell (Ameobi 46), Joyce (Davies 62).

Subs Not Used: Pass, King, O'Cearuill.

Booked: Smith, Rocastle.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt (Chapman 52), Foster, Creighton, Sandwith, Bulman, Perry, Clist, Midson, Constable (Sodje 60), Green.

Subs Not Used: Turley, Day, Cook.

Booked: Green, Perry.

Goals: Constable 23.

Att: 1,610 Ref: I Smedley (Derbyire).