GARRY Hill described Weymouth's FA Trophy exit to Forest Green Rovers as an 'off-day' for his Conference South leaders.

Matt Gadsby's last-gasp strike sent the Terras tumbling to a rare Wessex Stadium defeat.

But despite being knocked out the competition at the first round proper stage, Hill refused to criticise his players for losing to the Conference National strugglers.

He told Echosport: "We can't win every game and we have to accept that. Teams at every level have off-days and hope-fully today was ours.

"I'd rather have lost today in the FA Trophy than an important Conference South league game which is our number priority this season.

"I want us to win every competition we enter but we have to be realistic about this and now focus on winning the league which we're on course to do.

"Okay we weren't at our best against Forest Green but there's no way I can criticise the players. They have been on a tremendous run this season and one defeat is not the end of the world."

Hill added: "We didn't adapt to Forest Green's tactics as quickly as I would have liked and we probably made life a little easy for their big striker Julian Alsop who won everything he seemed to go for.

"We improved in the second half and had a couple of chances to go ahead such as when Brian Dutton was denied through a great save by the keeper.

"But full credit to Forest Green for nicking it at the end and I must praise their manager Gary Owers for coming here and doing what few teams have managed to do."

Hill raised a few eyebrows with his team selection when he opted to start reserve keeper Aaron Lee-Barratt in favour of regular number one Jason Matthews.

The manager explained: "Jason was rested purely to give Aaron a game because he has only been playing

friendly games recently.

"I wanted to have a look at him in front of a big crowd because you never know when he might be called upon if we are hit by injuries or suspensions."

Meanwhile Weymouth have released striker Daniel Webb who struggled at the Wessex Stadium after signing from Cambridge United last summer.

n Weymouth host Yeovil Town in a behind-closed-door friendly at the Wessex Stadium today.