FOREST Green Rovers manager Steve Cotterill believes his side are better than what the results show, but admits confidence is low after his side remained rooted to the bottom of League Two following a 4-0 defeat to Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Rovers looked resurgent in the first-half under boss Steve Cotterill but Mansfield turned on the style after the break to take all three points from Gloucestershire.

“The second goal broke our hearts," said Cotterill. “We were the better team for 60 minutes by a mile. We’re already working with boys low on confidence so then it’s an uphill task.

“We have to do the unsavoury side of the game a bit more. It wasn’t a 4-0 defeat but that just about sums it up at the moment and how they react to those negative moments in the game.

“There’s plenty to work on but I’d like to think when you look at us, we’re a better team but the results aren’t showing it.”

Mansfield boss echoed the comments of his opposite number, saying the score "flattered" The Stags on the day.

“We had to work hard to keep a clean sheet,” added Clough. “They (Forest Green) played really well and took control after our first goal, so the second goal was important in the context of the game.

“I don’t think we lost our way. It was just a case of Forest Green playing extremely well for 25 minutes. They have some very good players.

“We defended well and snuffed the threat out.

“We thought our smaller, agile players would work well against their big centre halves and, while we’ve had some strong benches at times this season, that’s the strongest we’ve had and they had an impact.”