MANSFIELD TOWN 0

SWINDON TOWN 0

Swindon’s goalless draw at Mansfield on Saturday was another clean sheet and a good point against a side third in the league, who had lost only one league game all season writes Peter Mitchell.

Town made just two changes with Jak McCourt replacing James Dunne in midfield, and Elijah Adebayo being recalled in place of Jermaine McGlashan.

Town matched the hosts toe to toe in the first half and created good moves and some good chances.

In fact, the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when a 30 yard free-kick from Matt Taylor – who else ? – was tipped onto his bar by keeper Conrad Logan.

Adebayo looked a different player up front with his running and harassing of opponents, and more than one fan had to check the programme to make sure it was him.

Together with his partners up front, Kaiyne Woolery and Keshi Anderson, Swindon always looked dangerous on the break.

For once they did press their opponents further up the pitch, and generally the three front men in the forward positions kept the Mansfield defence occupied.

Town’s defence is definitely more resilient these days and, although Lawrence Vigouroux had to make a couple of important saves, only in the latter stages did it look particularly vulnerable.

However, we are still lacking that all-important potency up front, and all eyes will now be on activity during the imminent Transfer Window, to see what that brings forth.

Richie Wellens must have been fairly pleased though with this showing, as he only resorted to one change during play, when he brought on veteran Marc Richards midway through the second half.

Three consecutive draws now over the Christmas period means that the Town are not really making headway up the table and they now lie in a very pedestrian 14th position.

A morale boosting home win over promotion contenders Exeter City on New Year’s Day would be a very welcome start to 2019.