Cambridge United's run of twelve games without defeat and five straight wins was ended at home to Forest Green, and the defeat was compounded by the sight of defensive stalwart Phil Bolland limping off with a hamstring injury that may rule him out for the next few games.

After falling behind to Andy Mangan's 21st goal of the season after just fourteen minutes, United dominated the second half and battered the visiting defence but were unable to find the breakthrough against a resilient Rovers' back line.

"It was a completely different game from what we've had of late," admitted Gary Brabin. "A good side has come here, left one up front and put everyone behind the ball, and it frustrates us but we've got to be patient as a team and as a whole club.

"We gave them a silly goal and we're disappointed about that. I think that was the only time they got in our box; Danny Potter had nothing to do all game and we're chasing the rest of the game. It is disappointing - the more games you win, the harder defeats become - and I'm absolutely gutted because I felt we were going to continue this run and take it to the wire.

"But we've got five games left and we want to take it to the wire. We've created enough chances to have won the game, we finished the game with four forwards but they got everyone behind the ball and fought and scrapped for everything.

"I thought it was an inept refereeing performance as well," he added, "and we could easily have had a couple of penalties, but it wasn't to be and we've just got to bounce back on Tuesday."

Referee Paul Tierney's most controversial decision was the one to book Chris Holroyd for diving when he appeared to have been clearly brought down in the area in the 27th minute, and the U's boss added, "I don't know if I'm seeing things but it looked like an obvious penalty to me, and to cover his mistake he's booked Chris Holroyd as well. That was frustrating and I think the referee was in the only person in the ground who thought it was a dive and a booking.

"But it hasn't happened for us today and I keep telling the lads that we have to be better than refereeing decisions, but today we just couldn't get that goal."

With United's back four already without the injured Dan Gleeson, another blow followed in the 35th minute when Phil Bolland left the pitch with a hamstring injury, forcing a defensive reshuffle that saw home debutant Simon Ainge, on loan from Bradford, moving into the centre to partner Wayne Hatswell while Jon Challinor came off the bench to slot in at right-back.

"Our rock solid back four has got a few injuries and knocks at this time of the year," said Brabin. "Dan Gleeson has struggled for the last month or so and he wasn't right for today, Phil Bolland is struggling now for the next couple of weeks and Wayne Hatswell is soldiering on at the moment, but we'll keep going and we want to get back to winning ways."

United have an early chance to get back on track with Tuesday's trip to play-off chasing Stevenage, who lost 4-2 today at in-form Kidderminster Harriers, and the U's boss commented, "It's going to be another tough game.

"It was hot out there today and the lads have given everything. We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third but we can't fault the lads' effort, especially in the second half. We spent 90% of the game in their half but we haven't got the goal so hopefully we're saving that for Tuesday."

With leaders Burton and third-placed Histon both losing, this defeat was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the leaders, and Brabin admitted, "I really thought we were going to win today and I thought the other teams around us would slip up, but we've got to keep soldiering on."

United are next in action at Stevenage Borough on Tuesday (7.45pm). This match is all-ticket for U's fans so please do NOT travel if you do not have a ticket. Remaining tickets for this match and the one at Kettering on Easter Monday, which is also all-ticket for away fans, are on sale from our ticket office - see this article for details.

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