AN angry Mark Cooper blasted the decision to send off substitute Manny Monthe on Tuesday night as Forest Green Rovers went down to a 3-2 defeat at Chesterfield which saw their unbeaten run come to an end.

It was something that Forest Green manager Cooper could do without with the huge Gloucestershire derby against Cheltenham Town taking place at The New Lawn on Saturday.

But, speaking to Radio Gloucestershire, Cooper was angered by the decision and said referee Robert Jones ‘couldn’t wait to get his red card out’.

Cooper added: “It is an horrendous decision. It is a one-footed tackle and he gets a clip on the ball, the ball changes course – it is just a staggering decision from where we were stood.

“I knew there was going to be a problem before the game because a couple of my players, when they saw the referee, said ‘oh no, not him again’.

“We were 1-0 down and then we go down to ten men. I must commend Chesterfield. They are the best football team we have played.

“We have had a really good run. We’ve won four games out of five and drawn one – and we should have won all five.

“So you come away on a Tuesday night on a long trip and sometimes it’s difficult. You have to stay strong, don’t concede goals and see what happens. Towards the end, we scored two goals so anything can happen. But we have to defend better than that.”