Manager Robbie Savage expressed both pride and frustration after Forest Green’s opening-day draw away at Solihull Moors.
Marquee signing Nick Haughton stepped off the bench to inspire Savage’s side to come from behind to bank a point against ten-man Solihull Moors.
In a season-opener, 30‑year‑old Haughton turned Rovers’ fortunes around after trailing at the break to Oscar Rutherford’s 15th minute header.
Earlier, Darius Lipsiuc saw red for the Moors for a studs-high lunge on Yahya Bamba – one of nine Forest Green debutants.
With Rovers lacking rhythm in the first half, Savage turned to experience and quality from the bench. The introduction of Christian Doidge and Haughton at half-time proved decisive. Just nine minutes into the second half, Haughton floated in a pinpoint delivery for Doidge, whose initial header crashed off the bar before he slammed home the rebound to level the score.
Momentum shifted instantly, and Forest Green took the lead on the hour mark – Haughton curling a sumptuous left-footed strike beyond the helpless Joe Walker to mark a dream debut.
Despite being a man down, Solihull drew level with 15 minutes to go through James Clarke, setting up a tense finish.
Savage told BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Billy Hunt: “We should be coming away with a 5-2 or 6-2 win, no question,” he said. “They had one attack in the first half and scored. We had ten or fifteen and didn’t. Credit to them — they defended unbelievably well.”
Savage made tactical changes at half-time, pushing more attacking players forward and switching formation. The adjustments paid off immediately with a goal from new signing Haughton, who was praised for his quality despite being short on match fitness.
Despite further attacking pressure, Rovers conceded a second equaliser and could not find a late winner, even after a goalbound effort was cleared off the line in the closing minutes.
Savage reserved special praise for the 200-plus travelling fans: “They’re the heart of the club. Players and managers come and go, but they’re always there. We’ll always go over to thank them — win, lose, or draw.”
While disappointed not to secure all three points, the manager remains proud of the team’s performance and confident that with work on final-third finishing, more wins will follow.
