FOREST Green manager Dave Hockaday blamed mental fatigue for yet another last-gasp defeat at Luton Town.

Tom Craddock's last-minute strike saw the Hatters pinch a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night, denying Rovers a precious point in their battle to beat the drop.

Astonishingly it was the 11th goal Hockaday's men have conceded in the last five minutes of matches this season, six of which have come in the 90th minute or beyond.

Lessons are not being learned, and the beleaguered boss admitted as much after trudging off Kenilworth Road.

"It's not a physical lack of fitness with this young set of lads, they're just not making the right decisions when it matters most and that's down to mental fatigue," said Hockaday.

"We had three chances to clear the ball to the corners in the last minute but we decided to pass it and try to be clever. Luton scrambled in a goal and my lads were saying there was a handball.

"I don't care, we gave them an opportunity they shouldn't have had.

"I'm delighted with my players but I'm spitting feathers with them as well, because in the 90th minute they didn't do what I told them to do."

Luton had gone ahead in the 38th minute thanks to a Craddock penalty, given for a foul on the winger by Jared Hodgkiss, but Rovers were awarded a spot-kick of their own on 80 minutes and Conal Platt duly levelled.

They could not hold on, and results elsewhere conspired to leave them five points adrift of safety.

"I'm not sure it was a penalty, but the decision was made and we coped with it," Hockaday said.

"It got to the stage where the Luton fans were booing their team and, if anything, we looked more likely to win the game.

"We have to learn to kill off games, and if we do I'm still convinced we'll be fine."

Rovers now have a free weekend in which to prepare for next Tuesday's must-win clash at 20th placed Gateshead.

And fans will be relieved to hear that goalkeeper Danny Ireland, who has excelled during a month's loan from Coventry City, is poised to remain at the New Lawn until the end of the season.

Hockaday said: "We've talked to Coventry and, as I understand it, that deal is done and in the post. He's a super keeper."