Cheltenham Town dug in for a well-earned point as they drew 0-0 with Swindon Town at the Energy Check County Ground in the battle between the Robins.
Michael Duff’s men enjoyed the better of the first half chances, but Swindon improved after the interval, with a solid defensive display earning Cheltenham a draw that extended their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two to three matches.
Manager Duff made one change to the team that started at Port Vale, with Alex Addai replacing the injured Ryan Broom in the starting XI.
It was the hosts who threatened first as Matt Taylor’s in-swinging corner was very nearly touched in by Ellis Iandalo, missing him by inches at the back post.
Former Swindon man Chris Hussey then picked out Addai after a succession of crosses were cleared, but his header went out for a corner – Hussey then curled over the crossbar from distance.
Both Addai and Hussey were linking up well on the left, as they combined again but the cross was just behind both Luke Varney and Sam Jones.
The ever-present Hussey’s 23rd minute corner was then glanced across the face of goa by Varney, but Ben Tozer’s back post header was off target at the Town End.
Jones shot off target from distance on the half hour mark but there were some encouraging signs from Duff’s men imposing their game, as Swindon retreated into a 4-5-1 from a 4-3-3.
Set-pieces were remaining a difficulty for the Robins to defend but at half-time, neither side had seriously tested either goalkeeper.
Straight from the re-start, Will Boyle was cautioned on the edge of the box and set-piece specialist Taylor’s powerful effort was pushed wide by Flinders.
Kaiyne Woolery then weaved his way into the Cheltenham box before Flinders smothered the ball on the corner of the six-yard box.
Richie Wellens’ side were improving as Elijah Adebayo span and drilled a low ball into the danger zone, with James Dunne side-footing off target from close range.
Substitute and former Cheltenham winger Jermaine McGlashan’s delivery was then deflected onto the roof of the net by another ex-Robin in Adebayo.
But the first chance of the second period arrived in the 72nd minute for the visitors as Tozer’s giant throw was flicked on by Boyle and then clawed away from under the crossbar by Lawrence Vigouroux.
With only a few minutes remaining, Steven Alzate headed over from a McGlashan cross – Adebayo was then superbly denied by a last-ditch block from Boyle as the Robins held on for a battling point.
SWINDON: Vigouroux (Gk), Knoyle, Doughty (Alzate 76), Nelson, Dunne, Iandolo, Adebayo, Woolery, Twine (McGlashan 65), Taylor ©, Woolfenden. Subs not used: McCormick (Gk), McCourt, Smith, Conroy, Pryce.
ROBINS: Flinders (Gk), Hussey, Tozer ©, Atangana, Thomas, Boyle, Addai (Mooney 82), Forster, Clements, Jones, Varney (Barnett 66). Subs not used: Lovett (Gk), Mullins, Alcock, Duncan, Brennan.
REFEREE: Lee Collins
ATTENDANCE: 7,026