FOREST GRREN boss Gary Owers cut a frustrated figure after his enterprising side were cruelly denied a share of the spoils on Friday night.

Earlier, a power cut at half-time meant the match was halted for 30 minutes. However, Jamie Stuart's late 90th minute header maintained Grays unbeaten start to the season.

Owers said: "We didn't deserve that and if they are top of the league then we can't be too far behind.

"We played well and made chances, but their keeper made three or four excellent saves.

"Of course your heart aches, but the players know they couldn't have done much more."

After beating Cambridge and holding Exeter City and Halifax Town, Owers is pleased with the performance level of his side.

"We're half a dozen games into the season and we've caused problems for every team we've played against, which is pleasing.

"It would be nice to have taken more of our chances, but Shaun Taylor and myself and the players have got to be encouraged by our start."

Earlier, Forest Green's direct approach to the head of Zema Abbey, ruffled the neat touch play of a Grays side brimming with early season confidence.

Nonetheless, Rovers found Ashley Bayes in the form of his life. First he denied Paul Wanless and then frustrated the impish Alex Meechan. Then, Rendell's arching header forced Bayes to scramble back and claw away the young strikers astute header.

By now, Rovers had fallen one down. John Nutter's cross saw Dennis Oli turn Sekani Simpson and plant a firm strike past Ryan Clarke on 18 minutes. However, Rovers were level just four minutes later.

Damon Searle's cross saw Stuart handle a Scott Rogers header. The ever reliable Wanless struck his fourth goal of the season from the spot.

After the power failure, Meechan should have beaten Bayes, but the former Bristol City man could only drag his shot wide after Rogers released him.

I t was more of same when Rendell went close. Bayes again tempered the flow. He did well to push away Meechan's 68th minute scissor kick from Clarke's booming kick and Abbey's clever flick. But, Stuart atoned for his penalty error by striking at the death.

* NEW boss Jack Edgar saw his side get off to a bright start with a draw at Newton Abbott.

Phillipa Helliwell netted parity as Forest Green Ladies came from behind to secure their first point of the new campaign.

Rovers' next game is at home to QPR, on Sunday, (2.30).

* PORTUGAL defeated USA 2-1 in the Pepsi Under-17 International Tournament at The Lawn on Sunday.