There was sense of déjà vu for Boreham Wood as they went down 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers with Kurtis Guthrie, like in the reverse fixture at Meadow Park, settling the result.

Defeat leaves Wood in the National League relegation zone in 21st place, two point behind Welling United who have played a game more.

Wood have now scored just once in their last five National League fixtures and are the fourth lowest scorers in the division with 13 goals. A stark contrast to the Green Army, the seventh highest scorers in the league.

Speaking afterwards, boss Luke Garrard said: “A poor clearance from James Russell was then compounded by the defence allowing Guthrie a free header.

“That left us chasing a game where we had put in a shift and restricted a very dangerous attacking side to few chances.

“We are not getting the rub of the green of late in front of goal but having said that, the chances we are creating are lacking in quantity, which explains our league position.”

Garrard preferred Ricky Shakes on the right wing to Mauro Vilhete, with Sam Cox replacing the ineligible Clovis Kamdjo in midfield.

Wood survived some early threats from corners with Russell doing well to rush out and deny Keanu Marsh-Brown a direct shot on goal.

Mustafa Tiryaki began to make his presence felt leading the line for Wood; his chest down for Conor Clifford leading to a free kick. The Dubliner curled his effort just past the post.

The visitors were growing into the game and when Callum Reynolds slid in to win a loose ball he gave Anthony Jeffrey licence to break down the left. His cross was pulled back into the path of Clifford who struck just over.

The Wood defence were tested by the deliveries of Elliott Frear, the Green Devils’ main outlet. One such delivery from a free kick found the head of Aaron Racine with Russell forced to tip over after 24 minutes.

Clifford had another chance to test Forest Green keeper Steve Arnold after Tiryaki was fouled. But he could only shoot straight at the former Wood youngster.

Former Chelsea prodigy Clifford then released Shakes who got the better of James Jennings but failed to trouble Arnold with his shot.

A rare mistake from Reynolds allowed Frear to cut in from the left and shoot over the bar.

Jon Parkin, who was marshalled excellently by David Stephens, produced a real moment of magic in the 38th minute. A poor clearance into the wind from Russell was rifled straight back towards the Wood stopper who was forced to backpedal before tipping the audacious effort over the crossbar.

Wood finished the half the stronger with Jeffrey’s trickery along the goal line carving out a chance for Luke Howell, whose low shot that was well saved by Arnold at his right post.

Back came Rovers with a sliced Joe Devera clearance leading to a corner which was cleared as far as Parkin. His low drive was deflected onto a post by Devera who atoned for his error.

Wood injected more pace into their play after the interval with both Clifford and Tiryaki failing to breach the Rovers’ wall after winning free kicks in dangerous areas.

The introduction of Guthrie after 63 minutes effected the required change in fortune for Ady Pennock’s side.

Frear finally managed to breach the Wood defence, picking out Rob Sinclair who should have done better than shooting tamely at Russell just yards from goal.

A poor clearance from Russell was sent back across goal from the right by David Pipe, clearing three defenders and finding Guthrie to nod home.

Garrard introduced Junior Morias as a second striker after falling behind but it was the hosts who looked likelier to score with both Racine and Parkin going close to adding a second.

Wood almost shot themselves in the foot when Scott Doe’s weak header back to Russell left the stopper no option but to bring down Frear, earning a caution.

Parkin struck the wall from the resulting free-kick before Russell kept out another late Racine header.

The promotion hopefuls from Nailsworth were made to work hard for their three points but the lack of goals that Wood are producing continues to dictate their season.

Boreham Wood: Russell; Devera (Woodards 49), Stephens, Doe, Reynolds; Shakes (Vilhete 77), Cox, C.Clifford, Howell (Morias 70), Jeffrey; Tiryaki.

Substitutes: MacDonald, B.Clifford.