FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper has suggested managerial rival John Still could be playing top of the table mind games.

Cooper was incensed when Dagenham and Redbridge defender Josh Staunton appeared to handle the ball in the box during the 1-1 draw on Saturday, but boss Still  has now claimed Forest Green defender Ethan Pinnock informed him the decision not to award a penalty was correct.

“I know Forest Green called for a penalty in the first half, but when I spoke to their defender Ethan Pinnock, who I know really well, he said it wasn’t a penalty," Still told the Barking and Dagenham Post.

And Cooper, who was sent off after confronting Ross at half-time over what he felt was a clear handball, said: "I read the piece where John said it wasn't a penalty - and he knows one of our players really well - and he told him it wasn't a penalty, but I have asked the player in question and Ethan doesn't know who John was and never spoke to him, so whether that is John playing games or mind games, I'm not too certain."

Watch Mark Cooper on video