FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper’s is “convinced” he could have guided his former club Swindon Town to the Championship.

Cooper was just 90 minutes from steering Swindon to the Championship in 2015, but saw his side lose to Preston North End in the League One playoff final.

And on the eve of facing his former club at the New Lawn, Cooper said interference in the week leading up to Swindon’s Wembley final, played a big part in their defeat.

Cooper said: “I’m convinced if I had been allowed to get on with the job that week I would have got them (Swindon) promoted, but it wasn’t to be. We sold a lot of players after that game and didn’t replace them and you see what happened, so it is what it is and they're now in League Two, but I’m sure they will fancy their chances to get back up at the first attempt.”

Despite being axed by the Robins, Cooper holds no acrimony towards his old club.

He added: “I have no axe to grind with Swindon now and after tomorrow I wish them all the best. I want to get three points and get us off and running and up the table and the fact we're playing Swindon makes no difference to me.”

Watch our full interview with Mark Cooper now.