Swindon were rewarded for their training stint on Christmas Day by winning a useful point in a 1-1 draw at improving Northampton Town on Boxing Day, writes Peter Mitchell.

Unsurprisingly both Elijah Adebayo and Scott Twine had been dropped, to be replaced by Jermaine McGlashan and, returning from injury, Keshi Anderson. One other interesting change was the recall of Dion Conroy, to play an unusual holding midfield role. With McGlashan, Anderson and Kaiyne Woolery up front Swindon had a very pacey trio of attackers.

Things didn’t get off to a good start when Conroy should have done better with a challenge in midfield, allowing the home side to execute a fine cross and equally fine bullet header by former Town striker, Andy Williams. The Cobblers should have had the game sewn up at the break with the chances they created, but Lawrence Vigouroux made two or three good saves to keep Swindon in it.

The Town had a lot more of the game in the second half, but their first real flowing move didn’t come until just after the hour mark, and resulted in them drawing level. Swindon swept forward with good slick passing between Matt Taylor, Michael Doughty and substitute Adebayo, allowing Anderson to finish well.

Both teams could then have won it in the latter stages, but Northampton came closest when a rocket shot by Jack Bridge smashed against the underside of the bar.

In the end although not producing a great performance the Town probably deserved their point. However, they still look a long way off the pace if they want to be among those play off places and there was little evidence of the manager’s objective for them to “get in their (opponents’) faces” and to press harder and further up the pitch.

Another two tough games await them now, with a trip to third placed Mansfield on Saturday and then a New Year’s Day home game against fifth placed Exeter City. Four points from those two and they will have done well.