JIMMY Ball admitted "jittery" Forest Green Rovers could have been blown away in the first leg of their League Two play-off with Newport County AFC but is relishing the role of underdog in the return clash.
The Exiles will head to the New Lawn with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Matty Dolan and Lewis Collins at Rodney Parade.
However, they failed to take a number of other openings and Ball knows that the first goal in Gloucestershire on Sunday (kick-off 6.30pm) is vital.
"It's huge and if we can get it at our place and get some momentum then it will be a very interesting game," said the interim manager, who replaced Mark Cooper to guide Rovers into the play-offs.
"There's a lot of football to be played, 2-0 is not a comfortable place to be by any means.
"We're ok with being the underdog, I'm ok with having to fight for what we want and so are the boys.
"There were chances out there for us against them and this is far from over. Newport could have put it to bed and we were a bit jittery, which is unlike us. We have to show determination now."
Forest Green Rovers Interim Manager Jimmy Ball during the warm up prior to kick-off during the Sky Bet League Two Playoff match at Rodney Parade, Newport. Picture date: Tuesday May 18, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Oxford. Photo credit should read:
Forest Green moved to within a point of leaders Cambridge when they won at Rodney Parade in February.
However, they then slipped down the table and needed a strong finish to the campaign to earn a spot in the play-offs.
Rovers beat Tranmere Rovers and triumphed 3-0 away to Oldham to secure a top-seven finish, triumphs that Ball hopes can be an inspiration on Sunday.
"The next game is do-or-die, and we have been in three or four of them already," said the boss, who also had their chances in Newport with Aaron Collins heading millimetres wide at 1-0 and Odin Bailey clipping the bar and being denied by a fine Tom King save.
"I am sure we will remember those, use those experiences and hopefully get on the front foot early. We are not out of this. All or nothing is what we are good at."
County were backed by 900 supporters at Rodney Parade but Forest Green will have home advantage for the second leg and will also have a reduced capacity crowd.
"We've got to make the New Lawn an intimidating place, in full voice and believing in the lads," said Ball.
"We'll have fans in and hopefully our fans will have as big an influence as the home fans did in Newport and we can give them something to really get behind us. If we do, they'll be in for a right game."
18.05.21 - Newport County v Forest Green Rovers, Sky Bet League 2 Play Off Semi Final, First Leg - Jamille Matt of Forest Green Rovers controls the ball as Mickey Demetriou of Newport County challenges
Forest Green sprung a surprise by naming Jamille Matt on their bench for the first leg with the former County striker coming on in the second half for his first game since March after a serious hand injury.
The targetman has enjoyed a superb first season in Gloucestershire, scoring 16 goals and being nominated for League Two player of the year.
Matt scored in both regular season games against County and will hunt another on Sunday.
"We are still trying to get him back to match sharpness. He will figure in the second leg," said Ball.
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