MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town (1) v (1) Bristol Rovers

SWINDON TOWN missed the chance to do the double over Bristol Rovers for the second consecutive season as first-half goals from Tyreece Simpson and Sam Finely handed both sides a league point at the County Ground.

Ben Gladwin got on the end of Louis Reed’s 2nd minute free-kick but couldn’t keep his effort on target as Swindon sought to get off to the perfect start.

New signing Ryan Loft attempted to respond as Aaron Collins flashed a ball across the face of Swindon’s box but the striker was left stretching as the chance went begging.

Both sides had attacked well as the crowd inside the County Ground raised the volume, but a lack of quality when it mattered most ensured a lack of clear-cut chances.

Swindon’s Tyreece Simpson changed that with a curling effort in the 16th minute from the edge of the Rovers box to give the hosts the lead. Under little pressure from the Bristol defence, Simpson was able to set himself before placing his shot past Belshaw as the keeper was left stretching.

Town looked to double their advantage minutes later with Jake O’Brien climbing highest in the Rovers box to make contact with Reed’s corner but was left watching on as his header sailed over the bar.

Swindon’s attempts to make any headway in their search for a second goal was broken up with a period of yellow cards as Connor Taylor and Sam Finley both found their way into the referee’s book.

Inviting pressure onto themselves with slow build-up play inside their half eventually spelt disaster for the hosts in the 35th minute with Sam Finley being given too much time in possession and his cross sailing through a crowded penalty area before nestling in the back of the net to equalise. 

Aaron Collins claimed the goal as he jumped in front of Ward to get a touch but it’s yet to be seen who the goal was awarded to.

Both teams played out the remainder of the half with chances few and far between as the scores remained level after a lively first half with Swindon perhaps the team left questioning how they had squandered their lead after such a positive start.

A series of hard-hitting tackles lifted both sets of fans off their seats at the start of the second half with Bristol coming off better as they cut Swindon’s midfield open and avoided taking the lead through a mixture of poor play around the box and good defending.

Harry McKirdy cut a frustrated figure as Simpson’s shot in the 65th minute went the wrong side of the post when a pass to the former at the back-post was the better option before McKirdy stung the palms of Belshaw with a shot of his own minutes later. 

Rovers forward Loft then skewed a chance up the other end as he miskicked a shot on the half-volley following a corner much to the joy of the Swindon crowd behind the goal.

A foul-laden final 20 minutes saw 2 yellow cards handed out but some Bristol players were lucky to escape no further action as chances went begin for both sides.

Louis Reeds attempted to lift spirits with an on-target free-kick in stoppage time but his effort was tame as Belshaw saved easily with Rovers hanging on to claim a point at the County Ground.