Fan clashes with Lewer after loss (From Stroud News and Journal)

Fan clashes with Lewer after loss

ALAN LEWER'S pitchside altercation with a Forest Green fan summed up a wretched day as his side were knocked out of the FA Trophy third round by Southern Premier minnows Aylesbury.

Witnesses claim a man hurled abuse at the Forest Green boss (pictured above) minutes after the final whistle as Lewer walked towards The Trevor Horsley Stand.

Lewer confronted the man and had to be physically restrained by Rovers captain Jon Richardson and winger Stuart Roberts, before being led away to the dressing room. Despite wishing not to comment on the altercation a clearly emotional Lewer was pulling no punches in his post-match interview.

"The supporters need to understand, we're still in the mire in a big way," said Lewer. "The only way we can get out of this is with togetherness. If we haven't got togetherness, then we might as well pack up our boots and go home.

"The players graft week in week out for Forest Green and the supporters need to understand this."

Earlier, a sublime strike from Dean Cracknell on 28 minutes was followed by a Leon Gutzmore second on 62 minutes after Rovers keeper Kenny Schofield's error. Rovers pulled a goal back a minute later when the lively Mark Danks saw his strike turned in by Aylesbury's Dean Powles.

In truth it should have all been over in the first-half. Charlie Griffin nodded against the post from a Darren Davies cross and then brought the best out of Ducks keeper Jack Rashid.

Liam Burns, making his home debut with Jon Beswetherick, went close but the duo failed to sparkle during their Lawn baptism

* Meanwhile, Julian Alsop may have kicked his last ball for Forest Green this season after a Football Association disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Alsop was involved in a training ground incident involving a young player earlier this season when he was contracted to Oxford United.

The ban is due to take effect from January 27 to May 31, but the player has the intervening 14 days in which to appeal.

Forest Green chairman Trevor Horsley said: "We discussed the incident with Julian when we negotiated to bring him to the club and he advised us at the time that he had been reported to the FA. It was agreed that his contract would be reviewed in the light of any FA hearing.

"Julian has 14 days in which to appeal and any decision on his future at Forest Green Rovers will be made either after this period, or after his appeal is heard.

"In the meantime he remains a member of our playing squad and will continue to train with us as normal."

In Alsop's prolonged absence, Lewer may now turn to former Forest Green favourite Kayode Odejayi.

The burly striker has slipped down the pecking order at John Ward's Cheltenham Town and may now consider a loan move to The Lawn.

* Forest Green will be aiming for a league double when they welcome Woking to The Lawn on Saturday. Woking's visit will see former Rovers' striker Jefferson Louis return to The Lawn.