SWINDON Town striker Harry Smith was left to reflect on the ‘fine margins’ that are likely to decide League Two encounters in the wake of their narrow 1-0 defeat at Notts County on Tuesday night.

A first-half penalty from Jon Stead was enough to separate the two sides at Meadow Lane, while the width of the woodwork was all that prevented Town from snatching a late share of the spoils as substitute Kellan Gordon hit the post for David Flitcroft’s team in the dying minutes.

The decision to award the Magpies a spot-kick appeared harsh, after Stead went down in the box under pressure from Town skipper Olly Lancashire, meaning Smith felt Swindon were worthy of a point in a tight encounter.

“It’s disappointing. A decision that we’re not sure is the right one has decided the game. They are the fine margins in the game and unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be for us,” said Smith.

“For me, I am thinking it’s one of those you see happen 10 to 15 times a game and if he gives one, he has got to give 10.

“He’s given it and fair play to them, they have put it away and there is not much we can do about it now.

“Ultimately, we lost the game and I don’t really know what encouragement we can take other than it is only a penalty that has decided the game.

“We had a few chances, we hit the post, I had a header tipped over, Luke Norris hit the post and again it’s just fine margins.”

The three points moves County up to second in the table, with Kevin Nolan’s team likely to be in contention for promotion at the end of the season, so Smith took a slice of consolation that Swindon had pushed them so close on home soil.

“They are a tough team, they are well drilled and they have got an experienced manager behind them,” said Smith.

“They will be up there this season and will be one of the tougher games we will have and I thought we were quite unlucky not to get something at the end.”