ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman refused to be downbeat, despite seeing his side crash to their third defeat out of four games.

And he was adamant the best is yet to come from his UniBond Premier Division champions as they adapt to life in the Nationwide Conference.

"I was disappointed with the result but we can take a lot of positives out of the second half," Coleman said.

"We started off sluggishly and conceded a goal that was, in the end, the deciding one and we were pressing when they scored again."

Coleman added he was angered by the booking handed out to Rory Prendergast for a flagrant dive deep into injury-time, confident that the former Barnsley winger had a solid claim for a penalty.

"I know Rory, he doesn't dive," he said.

"I believe it was a stonewall penalty. The referee's taken the easy option."

Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers manager Colin Addison praised the potential Stanley showed at The Lawn, having seen his side pushed hard for the three points.

"We're still struggling to get the blend and cohesion in the side, but we did well and battled through against a good Accrington side to get the three points," he said.