Luton 4-3 Forest Green saw a rollercoaster of emotions for Jack Wilshere and Robbie Savage in what was an FA Cup First Round classic.
It was the League One side who survived a late scare against National League opposition. The Hatters raced to a 3-0 lead by the 50th minute via Lamine Fanne’s curler, Nahki Wells’ double (one from a spilled free-kick, one close-range).
But then Rovers stormed back to 3-3 with subs Tom Knowles (deflected curler), Kyle McAllister (penalty), and debutant Aidan Dausch after 79 minutes.
Forest Green then came very close to winning it right at the end, with captain Laurent Mendy seeing his header come back off the bar.
But then Gideon Kodua’s stoppage-time close-range strike made it 4-3 Luton, with Dausch, unmarked, also somehow missing a late equaliser six yards out on the volley with the ball going wide.
Robbie Savage was living ALL the emotions on the touchline last night 😅
His Forest Green were on the wrong end of a 4-3 FA Cup thriller against Luton Town 🏆 pic.twitter.com/efHYPVxuNQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 1, 2025
Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage told TNT Sports:
“I’m proud – I’m a bit emotional for the boys if I’m honest.
“Second-half, it could have been one of the greatest FA Cup comebacks of all time.
“At half-time, I said this isn’t us – have a go, go out and enjoy yourselves.
“The hardest thing to take is that we’ve given them goals.
“I think we’ve been on the wrong end of the decisions tonight but I think we showed, that a young team can play like that, it’s unbelievable.
“In the second half we were magnificent, absolutely magnificent.
“There were tears in that dressing room but they care. Let’s go on win the [National] league, now.
“I’ve had big moments in my life. The birth of my child. That second half tonight, I have never felt so many emotions in football like that.”
Savage told BBC Radio Gloucester:
“It is one of the proudest moments of my footballing life.
“For my team to do that at 3-0 down, to have the courage, the application, the desire, the willingness to work, to go 3-3 and hit the bar.
“Dauschy was in tears at the end, walking off. The Luton fans gave us a round of applause, clapping us off as a team. They know. I love this team and they were magnificent.
“We knew they would get tired. Three subs all scored. I’m so proud of them.”
Luton Town matchwinner Gideon Kodua told TNT Sports following the match:
“It’s the best feeling ever. I work very hard in training for these types of moments.
“That was one for my nephew. It’s his birthday today so, happy birthday Raf.
“I do love the FA Cup. It’s a good night, a historic night, so I’m very happy.”
Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere told TNT Sports:
“That’s what happens when you don’t match the effort [of the Forest Green Rovers players].
“It’s tough because you have to stay calm and you want the players to see us staying calm.
“It’s probably a bit where we’ve been all season and it’s tough, but we won and hopefully we can use that for this season.
“The FA Cup is special but now we’ve got a couple of league games and we need to focus on that.
“I said to the players how many times have we won three in a row recently?
“We’ve got a tough one next week, [against top of League One] Stockport away, so hopefully we can use that for then.”
Wilshere speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties:
“It was a tough second half, it is hard to analyse right now because there was so much happening. But it is three wins in a row and I’m not sure when that last happened.
“That is important for the players, that they see we are about winning. We have to be better in the second half but we will look at that.
“Credit to them. We expected them to be like that, a Robbie Savage team. In the first half we did well with killing their spirit. We kept the ball well and it is difficult when they get a bit of momentum.
“We found a way and sometimes you have to find a way.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Luton 4-3 Forest Green saw a rollercoaster of emotions for Wilshere and Savage in the FA Cup First Round classic…
@Richbow79: People not giving FGR the credit they deserve. They were excellent and went for it. Fair play. A bit of quality win it for us.
@w1spa_1: Gave us a right *scare* there lads 😅
@chazabbb: i know it’s halloween but you didn’t need to scare us like that lads 😅
@LtfcMatt: 3 wins on the bounce… never in doubt. Obviously I am being sarcastic, really we got lucky which is frustrating as I thought we were gaining a bit of momentum. Oh on to Stockport away.. I guess we see where we are against the league leaders
@GrantTheHatter: Unlucky lads , you deserved to go into extra time at the very least. Good luck for your promotion push this season.
@AnleyBrian:
Your players done you proud
Your fans done you proud
Have us a thriller and a real fright night on halloween
Best wishes for the rest of the season
@upthesilks1: Real shame that. Thought you were decent but savage deciding to start a second string team in ur biggest game in years has cost you dearly unfortunately lads. No refunds on etaluku btw.
@Owenfgrfan: Damn, that was some good football today, 3 goals easily could have been avoided. It was some effort from everyone. Take that as a positive, to come back from 3-0 down and still could have won it, is some achievement
@Piffysmith16: Threw the first half with the selected team
@LTHTCL: You lads should’ve won that. Deserved a draw at the very least
@ChikaTC1: Gutted. Fantastic second half, didn’t deserve to lose like that. Well done lads 👏
@tinytai: Proud of this team 💚
@abboluton2: Good luck with the league Forest Green , it’s the hardest one to get out of . FG may have deserved to win on that second half performance. Note the Luton fans clapping you off. COYH
@MikePannett: Well played FGR – A great showing for the National League. How important is it to have #3UP? Come on FA. @EFL Played Luton off the park 2nd half #YCFC
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