It wasn’t a 4-0 defeat, insists Forest Green boss Steve Cotterill

New Forest Green boss Steve Cotterill will have to pull off the greatest escape if he can save Rovers from the drop.

The experienced manager watched his side slump to a 4-0 defeat at home to title-chasing Mansfield to leave Rovers cut adrift at the bottom, he said: “The second goal broke our hearts.

“We were the better team for 60 minutes by a mile. We’re already working with boys low on confidence so then it’s an uphill task.

“We have to do the unsavoury side of the game a bit more. It wasn’t a 4-0 defeat but that just about sums it up at the moment and how they react to those negative moments in the game.

“There’s plenty to work on but I’d like to think when you look at us, we’re a better team but the results aren’t showing it.”

Rovers travel to Barrow on Tuesday.