Forest Green boss Robbie Savage cut a disappointed figure as his side were stung by a last-gasp stoppage-time winner from Altrincham substitute Kahrel Reddin, as Rovers tumbled to their third consecutive defeat.
Rovers dominated possession and created numerous chances, but were ultimately punished after the break.
Altrincham took the lead in the 54th minute through Jimmy Knowles, but Rovers responded almost immediately, with Kyle McAllister firing home the equaliser.
However, Altrincham snatched victory deep into stoppage time when Sam Taylor picked out substitute Reddin at the back post, allowing him to tap home in the fifth minute of added time.
Savage admitted his side were “devastated” after conceding a last-gasp winner: “The boys are devastated at the end and disappointed. First and foremost, I thought the fans were exceptional. They started the game and, at the end, applauded. I think they’ve seen a team who gave everything.
“Congratulations to Altrincham. They kept going, as we did, but they’ve had two shots in the second half and two goals.
“We’ve just got to go through this period. We’re all in it together.
“We created chances and got a goal straight away after they scored. It’s a defeat, but the effort, application and desire was there.”
Savage made changes during the game after some players had been left exhausted by Friday’s fixture.
“Some of the lads were absolutely shattered, especially when you’re pressing like we did,” he said.
“The changes we brought on were to continue that press. We dominated the ball and dominated the second half.
“But again, they’ve had a goal from outside the box with a great strike and then, at the end, they’ve scored.
“It’s a collective thing. We go again tomorrow, dissect it and then we go to Hornchurch.”
Rovers responded quickly after falling behind, with Ricardo Rees setting up Kyle McAllister for the equaliser.
“Ricardo squared it to Kyle, Kyle with a good finish, and then we were in the ascendancy,” Savage said.
“But then, with the last kick of the game, they score. Ball across the box, a tap-in at the back post.
“We went for it. Draws aren’t good enough. We’re a front-footed side who are trying to go and get the win.
“There was no danger when the ball breaks in the middle of the park, but a couple of passes, balls to the back post and goals.
“So, congratulations to them, but yeah, devastated.”
Savage also acknowledged Altrincham’s resilience, despite their difficult start to the campaign.
“They blocked everything, headed everything, blocked everything,” he said.
“Again, it’s disappointing. Obviously, you can tell all of us are disappointed, but we’ve just got to keep working and get through this tricky little period – we’re five games in. Hopefully, it’ll turn.”
Asked what he could do to get his side through the difficult spell, Savage replied simply: “Keep working hard.”
“You’ve seen the boys today. They give everything. It was more like us today – on the front foot, getting forward, taking people on.
“I don’t know how many corners and chances we’ve had, but again, it’s a defeat. It’s three in a row, but it has to change.
“The staff, myself, Josh (Bowen), Jan (Klukowski) and Jonathan (Gould), we’ll keep trying to give them the information. They took it on board really well.
“You can’t ask for any more of that group, the way they gave everything today. We got done by a sucker punch at the end.”
Savage praised the supporters for backing the team despite the result.
“I think before the game we had a good chat with the fans,” he said.
“They said, as long as we see a team giving everything, which they did, and creating chances, which they did.
“Of course, I expect a few boos when you lose, but I think they’ve seen today that they’ve got a team who are young, dynamic and will give everything.
“We can be better. You can say I’m disappointed because that team in there gave everything to try and get the win.
“We’ve got to go again, dust ourselves down and go to Hornchurch, who are absolutely flying.”
Savage admitted the late defeat was a blow to confidence but said it was his responsibility to lift the players.
“It’s up to me to lift them,” he said. “We’ve come off today and, if you take it as a 1-1, we’re trying to win games.
“But again, they haven’t played through us. It’s just one pass, ball to the back post, tap-in.
“The changes were enforced because the lads were so tired. Some of the lads haven’t played consecutive games for a number of weeks, possibly months.
“So, the way we played today, with the press, the lads were exhausted. They had to come off.
“You could see the lads gave everything. I’m not going to stand here and have a go at my boys. I thought they gave everything.”
Savage was also asked about the pressure of three consecutive defeats.
“I’ve got to be the positive one,” he said. “I’ve got to be the one that lifts everybody.
“It’s difficult, of course, because I absolutely love it here. I love the people I work with. I love everything about it.
“I love coming to train every day to make improving players, trying to get the best for them and their families.
“But inevitably, it’s about results. And that’s three in a row.”
The game was also briefly stopped after a supporter required medical attention in the South Stand.
Savage praised the club’s medical staff for their response.
“My medical team did unbelievably well,” he said. “Thankfully, the person’s all right, which is great news.
“And again, we’ve lost a game of football. It does put football in perspective.”
Rovers will report for training on Tuesday before travelling to face Hornchurch.
“It was the plan,” Savage explained. “Tuesday, off Wednesday, and go to Hornchurch and try and get a positive result against Hornchurch.”
Savage also revealed that Rovers are not expecting to make any further additions before Saturday, although a player from overseas is due to arrive on trial.
“One player is coming in from overseas to go on a trial,” he said.
“That will happen. I think the players here, we’ll have a look at them this week and we’ll have a decision at the end of the week.”
Earlier, Rovers opened with plenty of attacking intent. McAllister’s inviting floater saw Josh Osude rise highest, but his header sailed over Owen Evans’ bar.
Evans then did well to get a glove to Jayden Clarke’s stinger from outside the box as Rovers cranked up the pressure.
Ethan Ross was called into action at the other end, displaying sharp reflexes to deny Tom Crawford as the visitors fired a warning shot.
Evans spilled Haughton’s skidding effort after the midfielder had conjured an opening for himself.
The game was then halted for several minutes due to a medical emergency in the South Stand. Thankfully, it appeared the person involved was okay.
Savage hooked Haughton and Osude at the break, ushering on Ricardo Rees and Omari Patrick.
Altrincham started the second half on the front foot. Freddie Sass and Filozofe Mabete forced into last-ditch defensive clearances.
Rovers’ riposte saw McAllister and Carke going close to breaking the stalemate.
It was the visitors who nosed ahead in 54 minutes. Knowles’ driving run went unhindered as he pulled the trigger to give Ross no chance. Less than a minute later McAllister netted parity, finishing with aplomb from Rees’ assist.
Substitute Jack Hinchy survived a let-off with three minutes to go. His horror backpass was headed for the back of his own net before the retreating Evans spared his blushes.
Deep into stoppage-time Reddin rolled the ball over the line unmarked at the back post from Knowles’ driving run into the box in the 95th minute of stoppage-time.
Forest Green Rovers: (4-2-3-1) Ross 7; Agina 5 (Mellor 79, 6), Campbell 6, Mabete 7, Sass 6 (Kengni 66,6) ; Clarke 8, Kelly 6 (Ewing 55, 6 ); Etaluku 7, McAllister 8, Haughton 6 (Patrick 46, 5 ); Osude 6 (Rees 46,6 ).
Subs not used: McNicholas, Ajayi.
Altrincham: (4-2-3-1) Evans; Banks, Cooper, Taylor, Lopata-White (Kosylo 40); Humbles (Breckin 72), Khan (Hinchy 72); Crawford, Barlow (Reddin 89), Kirk (Hemmings 72); Knowles.
Subs not used: Firth, Barnes.
Full-time: Forest Green 1 Altrincham 2
Half time: Forest Green 0 Altrincham
Referee: Richard Aspinall
Attendance: 1,783
Away fans: 78
Star Man: Jayden Clarke – imperious performance at the heart of Rovers’ midfield
