The curse of the cameras or  big match phobia are words on the lips of many Forest Green supporters, trying to explain the top-of-the-table 3-1 defeat at Lincoln.

We can still find some hope. Seven games remain - win them all and we may still pinch it from Lincoln, who are level on points with us, but the Red Imps have three games in credit.

On Saturday, Rovers fell into a well-laid ambush. No work had been done on the pitch and it was hard, dry and bobbly. This hampered the passing game preferred by FGR. Lincoln’s approach is less sophisticated.

Goalkeeper Sam Russell loves to pass the ball to nearby defenders who initiate attacks by passing the ball out of defence. Sam was continuously challenged by opposing forwards, forcing him to kick from hand or get rid of the ball quickly, kicking long and high.

Nevertheless, first-half went well. Goal machine Christian Doidge kept calm and gave Rovers a lead they held on until half-time.

Lincoln had scarcely threatened apart from two leaders from set pieces.

The plan for the second-half was simple. Hold on for the first 15 minutes and as crowd and players become frustrated pinch another goal.

This did not happen. Rovers wilted , individually and collectively.

The Imps took total control scoring three goals without reply. It could have been more.

Fans bemoaned the absence of the injured Ethan Pinnock.

I yearned for the presence of my favourite Charlie Clough, but he was a player who wanted to leave and helped Barnet defeat struggling Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Will Keanu Marsh-Brown return to the squad on Saturday? He frustrates and angers me, but at times thrills and delights.

To sum up there were too many self-inflicted wounds on Saturday. Too many free-kicks were conceded in difficult positions. We escaped in the first-half, but not in the second, the killer third goal coming direct from a free-kick.

Seven games remain - win them all and we may still pinch it from Lincoln who are level on points with us but have three games in hand.