SWINDON Town manager David Flitcroft was left to feel hard done by after his side saw their perfect away record in League Two ended in a 1-0 defeat at Notts County tonight.

Jon Stead’s penalty after half-an-hour was enough to condemn Town at Meadow Lane, with the County striker going down in the box under pressure from Swindon skipper Olly Lancashire.

Flitcroft felt referee Scott Duncan’s decision to point to the spot was harsh, although the Town chief conceded that the visitors did not do enough to match the previous away wins they had taken at Carlisle United, Morecambe and Luton Town this term.

“I don’t have any complaints. I don’t think it was a game that we deserved to lose but I don’t know if we did enough to win it,” said Flitcroft.

“When you come to a place like Notts County and allow the fans to referee a decision – he’s given a penalty for suggested pulling.

“You have to be a strong referee, you know it is going to be robust and you know it is going to be a game where two physical teams come up against each other.

“We tried to push, I think momentum went different ways and for 15 minutes we had a real push and could have got back into the game.

“Kellan Gordon hit the post, we had a few pushes on the game and there wasn’t much in it between the two teams.”

Having swept Luton aside in style with a superb 3-0 win at the weekend, Swindon were not able to match that level of performance at Meadow Lane.

Town did restrict County’s own chances, which left Flitcroft frustrated that his side could not fashion that one good opening that would have earned them a point.

“It was very important we defended well because they are a very direct team. It is coming in at you and you have to withstand that,” said Flitcroft.

“I think on chances created, we opened them up, but we haven’t scored which disappoints me.

“At half-time I told the players to be brave and make sure that we do finish with something.

“We brought Kellan Gordon on and I thought he was very brave.

“Harry Smith gave us a real presence when he came on. Him and Luke Norris looked a threat and Keshi Anderson looked a goal threat as well.

“I think there is a lot of goal threat in the team and to be undone with a soft penalty is a little bit galling, but that is football and we wipe ourselves down and make sure we go again.”