Forest Green played out a disappointing 1-1 draw on Saturday as they let a first half lead slip against Port Vale, writes Sam Wiles.

Nicky Cadden opened the scoring for Rovers inside 20 minutes after the Scotsman’s looping free kick seemed to take a nick off a player and subsequently evaded Scott Brown in the Port Vale net.

On 76 minutes, Devante Rodney equalised for the Valiants after a superb curling effort from range clipped the inside of the post and past Luke McGee.

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper admitted that his side have to be more clinical in front of goal and put the game to bed when they get the chance.

He said: “It’s too many times now when we’ve not got the second goal.

“We have to get that second goal and the players at the top and middle of that pitch have to score goals – that’s their job and they’ve not done it often enough.

“We have to step up and makes sure we win that game.”

Cooper added that he believes Forest Green need another striker to help convert those missed chances and that a new addition could arrive shortly.

“I think if you ask most managers, they are probably looking for one,” he said.

“We think we’ve found one and we’ll have one in the building possibly Monday.”

After losing a one goal lead, Cooper has called for his side to show more determination in retaining their advantage.

He said: “The players need to decide if they want to show real courage and get where we want to get and when we have an advantage and an opportunity, they have to take it.

“That was weak to give the goal up and not win the game.

“Mentally, for me, mentally weak.”

New signing Baily Cargill started for the first time on Saturday and Cooper knows that more game time will lead to getting the best out of his new acquisition.

“He needed the game,” he added. “It looked like he needed the game to get used to his new surroundings but he’ll be better for the game.”

The Forest Green boss was also able to shed some light on Kane Wilson’s fitness as the 20-year-old looks to return to first team action.

He said: “He’s not match fit because we haven’t had any matches and we can’t get any friendly matches to get him up to speed.

“He’s fit as in he’s trained for four days with the rest of the team so; he’s back in with the group.”

Forest Green sit in fourth place in the League Two rankings ahead of their trip to Tranmere on Tuesday night.