Birthday boy hails Forest Green point (From Stroud News and Journal)

Birthday boy hails Forest Green point

Conference Forest Green Rovers......1 Stevenage Borough........1

WHICHEVER restaurant Alan Lewer chose to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday, the meal will have certainly tasted slightly more appetising after Charlie Griffin's last-gasp equaliser.

With 89 minutes on the clock and Rovers trailing to a 26th minute error-strewn goal from Stevenage's Anthony Elding, Lewer had endured a wretched birthday. However, leading striker Griffin spared the birthday blues for his manager,with an 89th minute penalty- his 14th of the season and despite Dannie Bulman's injury-time free-kick that smacked Forest Green's post, Lewer's men showed enough resolve to salvage a crucial point in their survival quest.

"I thought we played particularly well today," said Lewer. "The goal is a mistake, but Adam Garner has put his hand up and it cost us. Other than that they weren't too much of a threat to us.

"To comeback and get a point is a massive result. We have worked hard this week and worked on our shape. The midfield creativity of Andy Harris and Hughie McAuley has made a massive difference."

It was McAuley, making his second Forest Green home debut in under a year, who showed a sure and creative touch on the unyielding surface, as he tried to prompt Rovers' bright opening forays.

McAuley's mullet midfield companion Andy Harris also excelled with his robust ball winning making him an instant favourite with the home fans.

Rovers lost their way after Elding's goal, but they dug in with the imperious Jon Richardson close to parity on the hour. The Forest Green captain ghosted in to see his glancing header edge wide of the post from McAuley's free-kick.

With Darren Davies on for Kevin Rapley, who returns to Chester City this week, and Michael Green on for Des Lyttle, Lewer's side hunted parity.

Green's attacking energy found Mark Beesley only for Damon Searle's heavy touch letting him down.

Three minutes later Green's deep cross gave Searle the opportunity to strike a fizzing hit, only to see his goal-bound effort brilliantly turned away by Alan Julian.

On the cusp of time Matt Gadsby and Garner were bundled over, allowing Griffin to smash home from the spot.

Forest Green: Williams, Lyttle (Green 74), Richardson, Garner, Searle, McAuley (Cleverley 90), Beesley, Harris, Gadsby, Rapley (Davies 58), Griffin. Subs Not Used: Perrin, Beswetherick. Booked: Rapley, Harris. Goals: Griffin 89 pen. Stevenage: Julian, Warner, Goodliffe, Hocking (Flack 89), Laker, Elding, Bulman, Quinn, Gregory, Stamp (Boyd 79), Maamria (Brough 86). Subs Not Used: Brady, Farrow. Goals: Elding 26. Att: 622. Star performer: Hugh McAuley

* ROVERS travel to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.