Boss Watson takes positives but admits drastic improvement needed to survive

Watson praised his side's display in a 1-0 Bucks Head defeat in the Conference Premier but admitted they still face a tough task to climb out of trouble after claiming just one win all season.

And the Bucks boss was today facing more injury worries after defender Neil Byrne and forward Jordan Deacey limped off and midfielder Mike Grogan ended the night hobbling as Lee Hughes' 71st-minute header settled the game.

• Telford 0 Forest Green 1 - match report

Watson said: "Jordan Deacey showed little flashes in the first half but unfortunately tweaked a hamstring.

"Neill Byrne hurt his knee and Mike Grogan has a dead leg so we're a little bit like the walking wounded but we will regroup and get a few smiles.

"We're not happy because we've lost but you can a togetherness, spirit and honesty.

"The harder you work the luckier you become and we worked extremely hard last night.

"We're a third of the way into the season and in the last two third we have to make drastic improvements but if you look at the last few performances – Kidderminster, Chester, Torquay – I can see massive improvements.

"It's the first goal we've conceded in open play in four games, which is an improvement.

"I genuinely feel sorry for the lads because I don't think we deserved to lose.

"I'm not saying we deserved to win but we definitely didn't deserve to lose.

"We need it to settle down before we can assess Neil Byrne.

"Steve Akrigg is still very uncomfortable and he might have a tear in the hamstring and could be out for two months, which is a big loss."

Meanwhile, Watson has signed Bermuda international goalkeeper Freddy Hall to compete with Jonathan Hedge for the No.1 spot.

Free agent Hall last played for Oxford City.