Robinson: It needed a goal to get us moving

KARL Robinson has said there were positives despite a poor performance by Salford in their draw at the County Ground.

The visitors needed a late goal from Callum Hendry to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

The Ammies boss said: “The competitive edge didn’t seem to be there. But the secret of sustaining points and keep putting them on the board is finding a way even when you’re not great.

“Their goal could have been a turning point for us to get back on the front foot. It seemed like we were waiting for them to score.

“We know we weren’t good enough today and getting a point makes me feel proud of the players.

“For the first 25 minutes, we were by far the better team. We probably got more than we deserved.

Salford had a good chance to keep up their strong momentum inside two minutes as Luke Garbutt swung in a deep cross to Matt Smith, but his header back across goal dropped wide of the far post.

Swindon had their own chance to score the opener as Zac Elbouzedi got to the by-line and lifted a cross into Dawson Devoy, drawing out a miraculous save from Alex Cairns before Paul Glatzel was denied on the follow-up. Swindon came agonisingly close when Glatzel’s finish flicked off Cairns but a defender got back just in time to clear off the line.

It was substitute Charlie Austin who laid the ball off delicately for George McEachran to charge into the box and slot his finish beyond the goalkeeper at the near post eight minutes from time.

Callum Hendry then fired home from close range in stoppage time to earn the draw. It extended Salford’s unbeaten streak to six games under new boss Karl Robinson.

Robins boss Gavin Gunning said Swindon deserved a lot more than they ended up with. He said: “We conceded late on and that is frustrating but if their keeper has a game like that then there is nothing you can do, fair play to him. He had one of the best games I have seen from a goalie in a long time.”

“We have played a team in really good form and we have absolutely battered them – anyone who sees the game will know that.

“I think we had chances where we should have scored, and they didn’t know how to deal with us. It is frustrating because we are playing well again now.”