Forest Green manager Mark Cooper poured cold water on referee James Linington’s decision to call the game off against Mansfield Town at half-time after a torrent of rain led to a waterlogged pitch at the New Lawn.

Cooper insisted: “The right decision would have been to not start the game.

“We told the referee the forecast that it would be a monsoon of Mongolian proportions but he chose not to listen to that.

“Then he chose to call the game off when it stopped raining.

“They just don’t do themselves any favours. Instead of saying ‘I tell you what, let’s wait 15-20 minutes, to see if it stops raining’ he said ‘No, I am calling it off now.

“He couldn’t wait to get back in his little warm room and put his feet on top of the heater. That is the level.

“It is like Exeter last year. We knew the referee was going to call it off but the referee still started it.

“It is not like Michael Fish in 1975 telling you there is going to be rain but there is a one per cent chance. We are talking about millions being spent on forecasts.

“They know there was going to be rain and it was supposed to get heavier at three o’ clock. Which it did. Just don’t play it.

“He’s played 45 minutes, knackered the pitch up and it cocks everything up. The fans come. It’s half a game, it’s an absolute shambles.

“But I must say that is probably as well as we’ve played at home. We played really well adapted to the conditions.

“Gavin Gunning, Lloyd James, really good performances, Reece Brown outstanding in the conditions. We are going to ask the groundsman if he can water the pitch before every game at home now.

“We had some great chances, Grubby, Liam Shepherd.

“It would have been interesting if we had been 2-0 up at half-time

“It is just frustrating. All you want is the officials to use common sense.

“We played 45 minutes but the physio didn’t go on the pitch once.

“That would have been perfect conditions in my day and we would have thoroughly enjoyed diving in and smashing into people.

“All I know is we have crewe on Saturday and that’s what we have to focus on now.

“Mansfield will have to come here on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Mansfield boss David Flitcroft felt the referee made the right call.

“We’re trying to get three points, and at 0-0 he’s [referee] made the right call.

“The worst thing is if someone goes 1-0 up. Morally, he’s done the right thing to call it off.

“They gave the game the best chance to go ahead.

“We have a duty of care. I’m gutted that the fans have come down here and spent their money but we have to protect people.

“Sometimes you can’t blame anyone. We have no control of the weather.”