Late leveller as Doidge grabs a point for Rovers

FOREST Green Rovers boss Steve Cotterill applauded Joe Quigley after another assist from the bench in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Hartlepool United.

- Alfie RYAN

A first-half goal from David Ferguson was cancelled out by a late leveller from Christian Doidge to give Rovers a point to finish off their regular National League campaign.

“Quigs (Joe Quigley) has been brilliant,’ Cotterill said. “I wanted to give him a little break, we will know in a little while who we are going to be playing in the semi-finals and we can prepare for that, depending on who we play against.

“His hold-up play, pinning defenders and his assists are absolutely first-class.

“We get Doidgey (Christian Doidge) that comes on so the game has opened up a little bit more, I know he has got an eye for goal.

“He has probably scored more coming off the bench than he has starting.”

Hartlepool had a cracking chance to go ahead 23 minutes in when Jamie Miley was found through on goal after Joe Grey dispossessed a Rovers defender, but his effort was put wide of the post.

Pools were ahead after 36 minutes when Ferguson tapped a first-time effort past Ted Cann after being found by Reyes Cleary on the byline.

“You can’t make three or four mistakes all in one phase of play, especially if it is in your own defensive half, I have said it before,’ said Cotterill.

“I won't tell you what I sort of said to the lads at half-time, I will leave that to the imagination.

“They weren't too happy either with their performance, you never quite know where they are in their heads.