Lewer: Supporters need to get behind us

A FRUSTRATED Alan Lewer has told Forest Green fans to get behind his struggling side.

The Rovers boss has had enough of his terrace detractors and is calling on the fans and even the tea lady to back his team.

"I'm fed up with the people around here, people in the crowd who want to give us stick," Lewer said.

"There are people in the crowd who come behind the dugout and want to give us stick for what we're achieving - they've even booed my players in the warm-up.

"What I'm saying is the supporters need to get behind us and that goes from everyone to the tea lady upwards - we need togetherness.

"When I came here they had no points. 22 games later we've got 23. If someone had given me six points before I got here, we wouldn't be in this position."

Earlier, Lewer had watched his side struggle on a pitch that he dismissed as a "ploughed field".

Mark Beesley's second half free kick had been cancelled out by a late equaliser from Ian Taylor, giving basement side Leigh a deserved share of the spoils.

With top scorer Charlie Griffin playing on the right wing, Rovers failed to sparkle in a wretched first half that had relegation form written all over it.

With only Scott Rogers and Damon Searle patrolling the midfield, Leigh stamped their authority on the over-employed pairing. However, recent loan signing from Chester Kevin Rapley proved a lively option as the striker hit the bar twice during the match.

Nonetheless, the cutting edge of Ryan Williams was missed and with Williams scoring for Bristol Rovers on Saturday, hopes of reviving his loan spell now look slim.

However, Jon Beswetherick was for once showing why both Plymouth and Swindon put faith in him, offering a constant threat down the left.

A torrid first half was enlivened when Rapley's neat turn and strike shaved the bar on the verge of half time.

Rovers improved slightly after the break with Griffin forcing Mann into an early save.

The goal that Rovers craved arrived on 56 minutes. Beesley found the net when his low free kick nestled into the bottom corner. Beesley was inspired as he then broke three tackles, only to see Rapley smack the post from his pass.

Nonetheless Leigh, playing under new boss Steve Bleasdale, became a greater threat, and this was justified when Steve Perrin got a disappointing parry on a right wing cross, which allowed Taylor two touches before netting.

L Rovers will hope to get their survival quest back on track when they entertain York City at The Lawn this Saturday (3pm).