FUMING Forest Green boss Gary Owers has shouldered a large chunk of the blame for the 3-1 defeat at Southport, but has laid down the gauntlet to his side ahead of the home test with Glen Cockerill's Woking this Saturday (3pm).

"I take responsibility it's my team-I accept that, but the players have their jobs to do on the field," said Owers.

"This was our worst performance of the season. The lads need to look at themselves individually and take responsibility."

Owers forced his side to endure a video replay of their sorry performance on Monday.

He added: "The squad watched the first half as this is where we lost the game, they have responded well and we have chance to put things right against Woking."

Conference Southport 3 Forest Green 1

AN evening of frustration saw Southport beat Forest Green thanks to three goals in the opening 25 minutes on Friday.

The Sandgrounders raced into a ninth minute lead when Kevin Leadbetter played the ball to Carl Baker who; 30 yards from goal drilled a left-footed strike beyond Ryan Clarke. Less than a minute later, Baker grabbed his second when he volleyed in Matty McGinn's cross.

However, Jon Beswetherick's 16th minute cross was converted by Jon Richardson as Forest Green fought back, but in the 24th minute Steve Daly drilled home Southport's third.

Starting brightly after the break, Bruno Teixeria got the ball in the net, but his strike was ruled offside. Meanwhile, Teixeria, Paul Wanless and Zema Abbey all went close. With time ebbing away Gadsby saw his 85th minute shot beat the keeper, but Farrell Kilbane cleared off the line.

Forest Green: Clarke, Simpson, Richardson, Garner, Searle (Rendell 81), Wanless, Howell (Gadsby 45), Beswetherick (Gosling 45), Meechan, Abbey, Teixeira. Subs not used: Harrison, Graham. Attendance: 1,087

FOREST GREEN have been drawn at home to Dagenham & Redbridge in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. The tie will take place The Lawn on Saturday, October 23.