Owers set for playing comeback (From Stroud News and Journal)

Owers set for playing comeback

CONFERENCE Forest Green.....0 Dagenham ......3

FOREST GREEN boss Gary Owers has threatened a playing comeback after watching his side slump to their third consecutive Conference defeat, a result that sends the beleaguered Nailsworth side into the bottom three.

Owers, 38, a former Sunderland and Bristol City midfielder may now replace captain Paul Wanless, who is due to have a knee operation on Thursday.

Owers watched his struggling side falter to three second-half goals from Dagenham captain Tim Cole(62), Danny Foster (70) and substitute Chris Moore(90).

Fuming Owers, who called the team in for Sunday training said: "One or two of my players don't care and I know who they are. After that performance I might play next week-I'm not joking.

"We've got seven games left and we have got to salvage something and stay out of the bottom two."

Owers reserved praise for leading scorer and captain Wanless, who played his final game of the season before having a knee operation.

He added:" Paul Wanless was my best player. Wanny played on one leg today; he put his health on the line for the club."

Earlier, the game roared into life on 15 minutes. Sam Saunders whipped in an inviting cross, which saw Ryan Clarke produce a stunning double-save to frustrate Cliff Akurang.

It took Rovers until the 20th minute to offer any threat with Wanless forcing Tony Roberts into a comfortable stop.

Chances remained at a premium. But on the cusp of the interval the deadlock was almost breached.

Akurang out-muscled Abdou Sall and with Michael Taylor heading unconvincingly, Craig Mackail Smith ghosted in. However, his perception was ended as Clarke denied his strike with outstanding agility.

Wanless' curling free-kick drew the half to a close with Roberts watching the ball round the post.

After the break, a Scott Griffiths volley drew a smart save from Clarke after Glen Southam's inviting cross.

The breakthrough finally came on 62 minutes. Damon Searle will feel aggrieved that his well-timed tackle was deemed a foul, but from Griffiths' free-kick an unmarked Foster planted a downward header beyond Clarke.

Guy Madjo's introduction failed to bolster Rovers and eight minutes later they found themselves two-down.

Rovers' defence was again found wanting as Griffiths teed-up Foster for a thumping header.

Wanless hobbled off to a warm ovation after a courageous 79 minutes, Rovers looked lost and further salt was rubbed into their wounds when substitute Chris Moore followed up Southam's header to make it three on 90 minutes.

Forest Green Rovers: Clarke 7, Simpson 6, Searle 7, Sall 7, Wanless 8, (Gadsby 6, 79), Abbey 6 (Beesley 6,72), Meechan 6, Dove 6 (6, Madjo 63) Jones 6, Taylor 6, Coleman 6. Attendance: 625 Star man: Paul Wanless.

* FOREST GREEN travel to Canvey Island on Saturday (3pm).