SWINDON Town were left to rue Michael Smith’s late penalty miss as their five-match winning run was ended by Doncaster Rovers.

Theo Robinson had put Rovers in front from the spot in the first half after Jordan Turnbull brought down Dean Furnam.

But Town were unable to restore parity when given a penalty of their own ten minutes from time, with Smith’s tame effort kept out by Sam Johnstone.

The defeat sees Mark Cooper’s side drop to third in the League One table but they are still just a single point off the top following Bristol City’s shock defeat at bottom side Crewe.

Both sides looked lethargic in the opening exchanges and the first clear sight of goal did not arrive until Rovers broke the deadlock 26 minutes after 26 minutes after getting the better of two penalty decisions in quick succession.

First, Town’s Nathan Byrne went down in the box under pressure from Andy Butler but referee Kevin Johnson waved away the hosts’ appeals.

Rovers quickly broke and were promptly awarded a penalty themselves when Turnbull felled Furman in the box, with Robinson powering past Wes Foderingham from the spot.

A super save from Foderingham then ensured Town were not further behind as he tipped Richie Wellens' header over the top after climbing highest to meet Kyle Bennett's free-kick.

Town offered little as an attacking threat before the break, with Andy Williams seeing a volley blocked by Butler, while Yaser Kasim blazed another effort high over the bar.

The hosts were dramatically improved after the interval and got their best sight of goal within five minutes of the restart. Jonathan Obika turned his man in the box to get a shot in but it came back off the post.

Byrne then wriggled into the box to flash an effort wide, while Massimo Luongo also had a shot deflected out for a corner.

There was then a big let off for Town at the other end as Nathan Thompson gave away possession but Richie Wellens strayed offside after being put through one-on-one with Foderingham.

Town were soon back on the front foot but Williams failed to make the most of their best effort after racing onto Michael Smith's flick on. The striker had just Sam Johnstone to beat but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.

Thompson then bailed Swindon out of trouble as the ball broke to Robinson in the box, with the Town skipper deflects the effort wide. Butler then flashed a header wide from the resulting corner.

Town were then given a golden opportunity to snatch a share of the spoils when Williams was tugged down in the box by Reece Wabara. Substitute Smith buckled under the pressure, however, as his tame penalty was saved by Sam Johnstone low down to his left.

There was still time for one last chance for Town as Nathan Thompson powered a header goalwards deep into stoppage time but the effort was cleared off the line and the final whistle sounded soon afterwards.

SWINDON TOWN: Foderingham, Stephens, N Thompson (capt), Turnbull, Byrne, L Thompson, Kasim (Bell 81), Luongo, Gladwin, Obika (Smith 62), Williams. Subs not used: Belford, Barthram, Branco, Rodgers, Reeves.

DONCASTER ROVERS: Johnstone, Wabara, McCulloch, Butler, Stevens, Coppinger (capt), Furman, Keegan, Wellens, Bennett (Forrester 49), Robinson (Main 81). Subs not used: Marosi, Evina, Wakefield, Whitehouse, McKay.

Referee: Kevin Johnson

Attendance: 7,793