Forest Green boss Steve Cotterill was delighted for the fans after his side boosted their League Two survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Tranmere.
Charlie McCann’s stunning strike was enough for 10-man Forest Green as Ryan Inniss was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
The hosts recorded their first home win since October as a Rob Apter-inspired Tranmere were unable to force a late equaliser.
“You’ve got to have the fans back in love with you,” said Cotterill. “Perhaps I can be that go-between to lift the club again. That’s what I feel it needs.”
The returning Jordan Moore-Taylor headed narrowly past his own post after a mix-up with emergency loan goalkeeper Vicente Reyes.
Apter shifted a yard of space and struck a fierce left-footed effort towards Reyes’ near post but the Norwich loanee tipped around the post.
Reyes made a superb save to deny Apter again after his strong run and effort was deflected towards the far corner but Reyes denied the winger.
Harvey Bunker forced Tranmere goalkeeper Luke McGee into a smart stop from his 20-yard effort as the hosts began to build some pressure.
McCann rounded off a fine Forest Green move with a stunning strike just before the break to send the hosts into a half-time lead.
In the second half, Apter found Harvey Saunders inside the penalty area but his right-footed effort was stopped by Reyes.
Inniss was given a second yellow in the closing stages but the hosts navigated a significant amount of Tranmere late pressure for a precious win in Gloucestershire.
“It’s nice for our supporters to see a win here, a clean sheet, and a great goal,” added Cotterill.
“We need to make it a real tough place to come. We need to keep that positivity as much as we can.”
On Inniss’ sending off, Cotterill said: “He slipped. It’s a blatant slip – you can see that. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Defeated Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins admitted: “It’s fine margins. I thought we’d have enough to go win the game but they sat back and had blocks towards the end.
“I can’t fault the players for their attitude and application. The frustration, however, is with the result.
“Lots of possession, getting the ball in the right area but we didn’t quite get the final third right.
“I know the players have given everything this week. I’m hurting because the result has gone against us.
“It’s a wonder goal to win the game for them, we’ve got into good areas, a couple of fantastic blocks. From our point of view, the application has been first-class. We just didn’t get the result today.”
Milan striker Giroud to join LAFC
Olivier Giroud will join Los Angeles FC once his contract with Milan expires.
It was confirmed on Monday that Giroud would be leaving Milan to head to Major League Soccer.
And LAFC have now been revealed as the 37-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea striker's destination.
Giroud has signed a one-year deal with LAFC, with the option to extend his stay through to 2026.
"His championship ambition and his qualities as a man and as a player directly align with ours as a club," LAFC general manager John Thorrington said.
Giroud, who has scored 14 Serie A goals this term, is France's record goalscorer, and is set to appear for Les Bleus at Euro 2024.
He will link up with his long-time international team-mate, Hugo Lloris, at LAFC.
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
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