ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-0 Carlisle United

The play-off aspirations of both Swindon Town and Carlisle United took a dent, as they could only play out a 0-0 draw at the County Ground.

The game started in a horrible fashion for the hosts however, as winger Kellan Gordon went down with a shoulder injury after just a matter of seconds.

He required six minutes of treatment he was in that much agony and he was eventually replaced by Donal McDermott.

Matt Taylor had the first shot on goal of the game, but his long-range free-kick was easily saved by Carlisle's on-loan goalkeeper Jack Bonham.

Marc Richards came closest to scoring, for either side, when 17 minutes had passed. Taylor floated in a corner, which was met by Ollie Banks who headed it across goal.

Richards rose highest to the floating ball, but his bullet header from close range cannoned off the far post and away to safety.

Danny Grainger had Carlisle's first shot on goal but his effort from miles out flew over the bar and out for a goal kick.

Carlisle's 4-5-1 restricted Swindon well for the rest of the opening 45, but Bonham was called into action again as the first half drew to a close, and had to tip a powerful Taylor free-kick over the bar.

McDermott closed the half out with a shot on the turn from a tight angle, but again it was an easy save for Bonham.

The second half started in a lively fashion for Swindon, with McDermott trying his luck from the edge of the box, but his low effort was palmed out for a corner.

Nothing came out of that corner, but Swindon pressed again, only for James Dunne to see his shot from distance pushed away and Carlisle recovered. 

Jamie Devitt then had two long-range efforts for the visitors. The first of which bent just wide of the goal and the second one was straight at Stuart Moore.

Ben Purkiss was next to have a go, but he could only head a Taylor corner over.

Swindon pushed for the winner more than their opponents. 

Kaiyne Woolery tried his luck from the edge of the box, but Bonham was equal to that, and then Banks arrowed one over the bar from distance.

The Robins were unable to break the deadlock though and were forced to settle for a point.

Swindon Town: Moore, Knoyle, Purkiss, Lancashire (Anderson '67), Hussey, Gordon (McDermott '07), Banks, Dunne, Taylor, Richards (McGivern '79), Woolery

Subs not used: Henry, Elsnik, Mullin, Twine

Carlisle United: Bonham, Grainger, Joyce (Campbell-Ryce '69), Parkes, Hope (Twardek '36), Devitt, Ellis, Brown, Lambe (Bennett '75), Hill, Nadesan

Subs not used: Nabi, Gray, O'Sullivan, Stockton

Man of the Match: 

Attendance: 5,807

Referee: Brett Huxtable