KASPER SCHMEICHEL thwarted unlucky Forest Green in last night's FA Cup defeat at Notts County.

A replay looked probable when Isaiah Rankin drew parity following Stephen Hunt's opener, but a stunning 25-yard strike from former Premiership striker Lee Hughes saw County home.

Hockaday stated: "The very worst that should be happening is a replay this Saturday, so to find ourselves out of the Cup is absolutely gutting," said Hockaday.

"We controlled so much of the game, and but for the performance of County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and a moment of magic from Lee Hughes we would be in the fourth round and playing Wigan at home.

"It's extremely hard to take but I'm very proud of my team and they should be proud of themselves."

Notts County joint-caretaker boss Tommy Johnson felt Schmeichel saved the day for the high-flying League Two side, saying: "Kasper made two great saves in the closing minutes.

If he hadn't we would have been going to Forest Green on Saturday."

Rovers started brightly against Sven-Goran Eriksson's team.

David Brown tried to beat Schmeichel with an audacious strike from fully 35 yards on 11 minutes.

Graeme Lee blocked a powerful strike by winger Danny Powell minutes later.

However, County almost went ahead on 21 minutes when Terry Burton spilled a low strike from Ben Davies.

County should have taken the lead less than a minute after the restart when Hughes raced clear but shot wide.

Graeme Lee was denied by the woodwork minutes later.

However, the Magpies went ahead on 50 minutes. Hunt struck after Burton dropped Davies' strike straight to him.

Moments later Jared Hodgkiss did well to block Hughes as County looked for a second.

Forest Green went close to equalising on the hour mark with a well worked attacking move. Jonathan Smith was put through on goal but Schmeichel parried.

Hockaday’s side found parity on 63 minutes when Rankin drove past Schmeichel at his near post.

Rovers’ joy was short-lived as Hughes curled the ball superbly inside Burton's left-hand upright from 25 yards on 65 minutes.

Schmeichel made two good saves in the closing stages to deny Hockaday’s side a deserved replay.

He used his feet to block a strike from Rankin at his near post on 85 minutes. On 88 minutes, he parried away a close-range effort from Conal Platt.

Rovers now visit relegation rivals Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.

Notts County: Schmeichel, Lee,Thompson, Hunt, Ravenhill, Bishop, Davies, Jackson, Hughes, Hawley (Rodgers 74),Westcarr (Hamshaw 70).

Subs: Hoult, Edwards, Clapham, Hamshaw, Fairclough, Rodgers, Akinbiyi.

Forest Green: Burton, Preece, O'Cearuill, Hodgkiss, Stonehouse, Smith, Powell (Berry 87), Brown, Platt (Else 90+3), Ameobi, Rankin.

Substitutes: Pass, Winter, Osman, Else, Davies, Henry, Berry.

Ref: Graham Att: 4,389