The Pitmen lost the chance to progress into the last eight of the FA Trophy when they lost to a first half goal by Conference National Forest Green Rovers after enjoying a good spell of early possession.

The UniBond League side could have got something out of the game if they had showed a little more belief in their own abilities and less respect for the conference strugglers.

Former Non League International Dale Anderson was signed in time to make his debut in the game for Ross Dyer who was still feeling the effects of the hamstring injury which had kept him out of the two previous games.

The Pitmen started the game brightly and in the opening minutes Elliott Durrell played a good pass down the middle for Tyrone Barnett to chase. He got to the ball first but his first touch took the ball out wide right from where he had to play the ball back inside but as no one had followed up the ball was cleared up field.

Rovers full back Alex Lawless gave the ball away to Barnett who made an attacking run from the left, he picked out Anderson who took the ball to the edge of the penalty area where he attempted to chip a cross to Durrell on the right but the pass was cut out and the chance to open the scoring had been lost.

Anthony Maguire was fouled by the left hand corner flag, Durrell floated the free kick to the back post from where it was cleared for a corner. Chad Sheppard's corner was headed towards goal by Danny Harvey but as he had collided with Rovers keeper Ryan Robinson play was stopped just as Durrell headed the loose ball into the net.

Adriano Rigoglioso was denied twice in quick succession by Curtis Ujah who threw his body on both occasions in the way of the Rover's forwards shots from the edge of the box.

Barnett looked to have been put free on the left when Durrell played a reverse pass which left the Rovers defence on the wrong foot but they received a break when the Assistant Referee raised his flag for Barnett starting in an offside position.

After Sean Platt was fouled, Durrell took the free kick which found Barnett on the left of the box but he sliced his shot that much the ball went well wide and was cleared by Rovers left touchline.

Rigoglioso went close with a firm shot in the 13th minute which he hit from 20 yards just over Brock's crossbar. Ross Draper was soon on hand to block another Rigoglioso shot which allowed Brock to save on the right of the box.

Tom Marshall headed over the crossbar from close range after Sheppard had picked him out from a right wing corner kick but for the second time in the game the Referee gave the home side a free kick for a push on Robinson.

Rovers Jonathan Smith was cautioned for a foul on Sheppard in the 29th minute then a minute later Brock was injured when he collided with Rover's Andy Mangan and the Pitmen's Ujah and Harvey just as the Rover's player was Mangan was about to shoot.

The only goal of the game came in the 37th minute; a ball from the right was met by Mangan who on the run hit a shot which Ujah blocked but the ball fell to the unmarked Rigoglioso who turned inside the box to hit a firm low shot just inside the right hand post.

Maguire was booked towards the end of the first half and at the start of the second half the Pitmen pushed forward but in the 48th minute poor defending let Rigoglioso have another shot but he failed to connect properly which allowed the injured Brock to save.

Marshall cut out a cross from the right and conceded a corner. Durrell headed the corner clear to Anderson who made a quick break on the left, he beat two defenders to slip the ball inside for Durrell who took a touch then from 20 yards hit a shot which went over the crossbar.

Rigoglioso went close after Conal Platt picked off a poor Pitmen pass on the half way line, after taking the ball into the box he set Rigoglioso for a chance which he flicked just wide of the right hand post.

The problems mounted for the Pitmen when Barnett limped off with a groin injury in the 70th minute only to be replaced by Ross Dyer who himself is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Sam Hall who had replaced Platt earlier in the second half won the ball just inside Rover's half, he played a forward pass to Dyer who played the ball into the box for Durrell who was injured when his shot on goal was blocked.

Rigoglioso went close again with another shot after the ball was laid back to him from the edge of the penalty area. Luckily his shot was deflected for a corner as Brock was struggling to move due to the injury received in the first half.

Draper made an attacking run down the left, he hit the ball forward into space but no one had anticipated the pass and a good chance to get behind the FGR back line was lost.

Dyer earned a throw in on the right, the throw picked out Briggs who hit a cross into the penalty area but again no one could take advantage of the bouncing ball. Briggs was quickly back in possession and his shot was saved by Robinson.

Controversy came in the 83rd when the Pitmen fans thought Marshall had scored a headed equaliser from Maguire's cross but as he celebrated the goal the Assistants flag went up and the goal was disallowed.

In added on time Marshall was fouled by Mark Preece as he was pushed up front in search of the goal which would have taken the tie back to Keys Park but it was not to be and the Wembley dream was over for another season.

Forest Green Rovers

Robinson, Lawless, Stonehouse, Gill, Rigoglioso (McDonald 85), Mangan (Symonds 64), Platt, Smith, Afful, Preece, Fowler. Subs not used; Ashford, Burton

Hednesford Town

Brock, Platt (Hall 57), Maguire, Ujah, Harvey, Marshall, Sheppard (Briggs 64), Durrell, Barnett (Dyer 70), Anderson, Draper. Subs not used; Burley, Harbutt

Referee Mr R. Merchant (Stone)

Attendance 768

RodH