MANAGER Mark Cooper branded Swindon Town’s last four weeks as a “month of maybes” after watching his dominant Robins side held to a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Having put themselves within touching distance of the League One play-offs at the turn of the year, Town have now won just once in seven league games, as well as being dumped out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the area final stage, and are winless since beating Port Vale 3-2 on February 8.

That stretch without a victory is now up to five games, despite a much improved performance at Gresty Road where Swindon entertained with fluent, attacking football only to be pegged back by Vadaine Oliver’s strike for Alex after Ryan Harley had fired the visitors ahead.

Reflecting on his team’s failure to pick up all three points and a difficult spell in their season, Cooper remained philosophical, saying: “It’s the story of the last month of maybes but whatever happens between now and the end of the season, we want to finish as strong as we can and play like we did today to set us up for wherever we are next season.

“I’m sure the fans went away today thinking we played really well.

“They were really good today; they got behind the team as away fans usually do.

“The only thing missing was a goal to finish the game which, let’s be honest, should have been all over.”

When it was suggested by the Advertiser that his players produced their improved display in response to notions this week that Town’s play-off challenge is all but over, Cooper said: “They certainly don’t think it’s all over.

“Maybe the pressure is off and it’s always easier to play a little bit when the pressure’s off but the players put pressure on themselves, they want to go and win.

“They’ll keep going and if we win 12 games we’ll get promoted.”