Cooper has told his players they must improve or be dropped

Darlington boss Mark Cooper has warned his side that they have one last chance to prove their worth in Saturday's visit of Forest Green Rovers.

Cooper has been disappointed by his under-performing side so far this season and said changes will be made if performances do not improve.

"If the players are not capable of doing it, then we'll replace them, simple as that," Cooper told BBC Tees.

"We need someone to stick a head or foot on the end of things in the box."

Last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Borough was the nadir for Cooper, who side-stepped his post-match interview after his side could only gain a point against a nine-man Boro side.

The former Kettering boss sent assistant Richard Dryden along instead to avoid 'saying something he'll regret in the heat of the moment', and despite admitting he has calmed down since, revealed the memory of the match continues to haunt him.

If you put 21 crosses in, in any game of football, and only score one goal, it doesn't take a genius to work out where the problem is does it? Mark Cooper on the problems affecting his side

"It was probably the most embarrassing day of my coaching or managerial career to date, and it's been a horrible week and one I don't want to happen again," Cooper continued.

"We've been trying to do everything we can this week so it doesn't happen again.

"We're trying to get people wanting to score goals, and if it means getting three stitches, or a broken nose, then so be it.

"If you put 21 crosses in, in any game of football, and only score one goal, it doesn't take a genius to work out where the problem is does it?"

Darlington lie ninth in the Blue Square Bet Premier after seven games, six points off top side AFC Wimbledon.

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