PETE Wild has urged his Barrow AFC side to “stick together” after they suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season with a disappointing 2-1 loss to struggling Forest Green Rovers.

The Bluebirds were desperate for a response after a 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

But Steve Cotterill earned his first victory since taking charge of relegation-threatened Rovers as the visitors lifted themselves off the floor of the Football League with a shock win. 

Cole Stockton’s super 25-yard lob cancelled out Kyle McAllister’s opener in the first half at Holker Street.

But Manny Osadebe was allowed to run at the heart of the hosts’ defence and made them pay with his second-half strike.

Defeat meant the Bluebirds slipped further off the promotion pace as they dropped to fifth and four points off third-placed Crewe Alexandra.

“We just now need to regroup and stick together,” stressed Wild. 

"Nobody said it would be easy, nobody said it was going to be a walk in the park.

“It’s certainly not been that at the moment. It’s really important now that we stick together and get back to basics and make sure we come out of this little blip as soon as possible.”

The Bluebirds’ boss was left “frustrated” by the manner of the defeat and especially the goals.

“I’m frustrated,” said Wild. 

“First and foremost well done to Forest Green, they’ve taken their opportunities.

“But it’s two silly, frustrating goals for us to give away. They’ve taken them well and left with the points.

“We had lots of territory again like we did against Wimbledon after the first half hour on Saturday.

“It’s a really frustrating evening. It’s an evening that promised so much. 

“Again for large parts I felt completely in control and quite at ease. 

“To come away with nothing is a tough pill to swallow.

“The second goal Chessy goes to kick it and it takes a horrendous bounce. But, we’ve got to defend the ball better up the pitch. If you can’t tackle him then take him down. Bring him down. But we didn’t do anything. 

“At the end of the day he’s allowed to run through the middle of us and get the goal.

“There are so many things that can be prevented about both goals and that’s what’s so frustrating.”

Stockton came close to rescuing a point when he rattled the bar with another long-range effort.

But on his side’s attacking flair on a whole, Wild added: “It’s a great goal from Cole, he’s also hit the crossbar. He’s looking sharper. He’s looking like a centre forward that we want him to be.

“We didn’t test their goalkeeper enough. 

“I told the lads it was his league debut so to go and put him under pressure and make him make mistakes.

“We needed to make him worried about coming for crosses. We’ve put umpteen crosses into the box tonight and we’ve not looked aggressive on any of them.”