FOREST Green boss Mark Cooper described the goals his team conceded at Lincoln as 'horrendous.'

John Akinde and substitute Kellan Gordon scored either side of Reece Brown's strike on an intense afternoon at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

The first goal saw a mix up between Gavin Gunning and Robert Sanchez which the striker took advantage of while the second saw substitute Shay McGartan get the better of Gunning before his low cross was tapped in by fellow sub Gordon.

Cooper was pleased with how his team performed at Sincil Bank but was disappointed in the manner in which they conceded but portioned no blame on his keeper.

"I thought we played really well but you can't concede two goals like that," said Cooper. "We conceded two horrendous goals and Lincoln have defended really well so full credit to them."

"Sanchez was very good today. I put no blame on him for the first goal, that's an experienced centre half who's just got to deal with that and when you see it back, it's clear."

Rovers reacted well to falling behind in the first half as Brown equalised almost instantly. Rovers then controlled the majority of the match from then but Cooper insisted it counts for nothing when the team don't get a result.

"We responded well and then created some really good opportunities," added Cooper.

"Browny's had one off the bar and we've had other chances but when you play like that but you have to win.

"I can stand here until the cows come home and tell you how well we played but we didn't win."

The Rovers boss singled out a number of players for their displays at Sincil Bank and hopes they can take that into a busy week of cup action.

"We have to take the positives out of it," Cooper insisted. "There were some unbelievable performances. Reece Brown, Lloyd James, Nathan McGinley and Carl Winchester at right back put in unbelievable performances so we have to take the positives from that and go again. "

Liam Shephard was missing with a knee injury and Cooper confirmed that he will be out for around a month.

"He's had a knee injury for the last few weeks and has been nursing it. We thought he'd be able to play but he's too sore and he'll have a month off," Cooper explained.