TWO goals in stoppage time meant new Forest Green Rovers manager Duncan Ferguson tasted defeat in his first game at Shrewsbury Town.

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.