Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Forest Green Rovers: Duncan Ferguson loses first game in charge

Shrewsbury have now won four league matches in a row

New Forest Green Rovers boss Duncan Ferguson said conceding twice in second-half stoppage time to lose to Shrewsbury in his first game in full-time management was "a tough one to take".

The former Everton striker watched his side lose 2-1, having led 1-0 in stoppage time, and Rovers remain four points from safety in League One.

Ferguson, 51, questioned the length of additional time at the end of the match, but insisted he was proud of his players despite the late setback.

He told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "I can't remember the last time I've seen a 98-minute game, unless it was in the World Cup. That's what I said to the fourth official: 'Are you sure it's not the World Cup that you're officiating at?'

"It was looking so good, it was a tough one to take today.

"Overall it was a good performance, we had some good chances and scored a beauty of a goal.

"As long as the players are putting a shift in like they put in today I'll be happy, I think most people will be happy. The travelling fans gave the players a clap off which was nice to see, they could see the effort they put in today."

Swansea loanee Jordon Garrick had seemingly started Ferguson's reign in Gloucestershire in style with his stunning strike, a second goal in four league appearances for the club.

But League One's bottom club had an elusive win snatched away from them in the most painful of circumstances as two goals in eight minutes of stoppage time stretched their winless run to nine games.

Substitutes Rekeil Pyke and Ryan Bowman struck to make it four wins on the spin for Steve Cotterill's charges as they grasped victory from the jaws of defeat in front of their loyal home fans.

Garrick started the Ferguson era with a thunderous strike as he found the top corner after cutting inside in the 18th minute.

Marko Marosi did well to deny Ollie Casey before Amadou Bakayoko hit the side-netting as the visitors created chances before the break.

Pyke got the hosts level as his strike through a sea of bodies found the back of the net in the fourth minute of time added on.

But not happy with a point, Killian Phillips slipped in Bowman who held his nerve to win it with virtually the last kick of the game.

Match details supplied by PA Media.