Hockaday fumes at first-half horror show

MANAGER Dave Hockaday was left to fume at a first-half horror show as Forest Green went down to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Stevenage Borough, writes James Young.

Rovers fell behind to the only goal of the game with just seven minutes on the clock and Boro were unfortunate not to be out of sight, before a minor rally in the second half.

Coming off the back of two gutsy performances, in drawing at Altrincham last weekend and knocking Mansfield out of the FA Cup in midweek, Hockaday was doubly disappointed with the manner of the defeat.

"I'm really disappointed as they wanted it more than us in the first half and that sums up the game," said Hockaday.

"I can't have a team of mine where the opposition want it more than we do and in the first half they wanted it more.

"In the second half we've competed but we were a goal down and you can see why they are in the top part of the league because they are organised and keep it away from the danger area."

The Stevenage back four dealt with almost everything Rovers threw at them, to the extent that Chris Day in the visitor's goal did not have a save to make.

He was beaten once, when Conal Platt's thunderous free-kick bounced to safety off the inside of the post, Rovers' best and virtually only chance of the afternoon.

"We had a little rally just before half-time when we've hit the post and had a few scrambles," said Hockaday.

"But when you go behind against a good side you make it difficult for yourselves to get back into it.

"In the second half you couldn't tell who was the better of the two teams.

"We had more territory but having said that the first half was what decided the game."

Rovers face league leaders Oxford United at the New Lawn tomorrow night, without the services of top-scorer Sean Rigg.

Rigg has scored seven times, but his loan spell reached the maximum 93 days and he returns to Bristol Rovers.

Hockaday paid tribute to the former Forest Green youth player, who was given a rousing send off by the New Lawn faithful at the final whistle.

He said: "Sean has been super, he has been a great tribute to himself, to Bristol Rovers and to this club. We wish him well."