POOR defending and a hesitancy in front of goal denied Swindon Town three points as they entertained Colchester United at the County Ground.

After losing 3-2 to Rochdale on Tuesday night, Town were looking to banish that game from their memory.

And Michael Smith’s brace looked to have given Swindon hope of doing that, but second half goals from Rhys Healey and Gavin Massey saw the visitors return to Essex with a share of the spoils.

Mark Cooper made two changes to the starting XI that was defeated by Rochdale on Tuesday night.

Louis Thompson had shaken of a calf strain and came into the side for Anton Rodgers, while Jake Reeves was handed his first start at the County Ground in favour of Ben Gladwin.

With Nathan Thompson serving the last of his two-match ban, his brother Louis moved into defence with Iraq international Yaser Kasim restored to his favoured midfield position.

Cooper also resisted from tinkering with his front pairing with Jon Obika left on the bench with Andy Williams and Michael Smith given the nod.

However, new loan signing Harry Toffolo had to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Despite an early opening for Town, the first half was all very subdued at the County Ground.

In the fourth minute, Nathan Byrne threaded the ball through to Williams, but his first touch was too heavy and he was forced wide by Sam Walker in the Us goal.

Jordan Turnbull came to the rescue of Town in the 26th minute when Gavin Massey played in Rhys Healey, and with Foderingham off his line, the on-loan defender cleared the shot off the line.

Following that scare, Town went up the other end and broke the deadlock when Amari’I Bell, who was having a poor afternoon with his crossing, picked out Michael Smith to tap home his 10th goal of the season.

But the second half began in disastrous fashion for the hosts as Massey played in Healey and he cut inside to drill the ball past Wes Foderingham in the second minute of the period.

However, parity was short lived as Town were back in front within 60 seconds as Smith got on the end of a lovely cross from Massimo Luongo to find the net for the second time of the game.

Colchester drew level once more when Massey was left unmarked after some sloppy defending to tuck the ball away.

Both teams went in search of a leveller with the best chance falling to Byrne in the 76th minute when he was put through by Luongo, but the Colchester stopper was equal to his shot.

And in 81st minute, Smith was calling for a penalty when he saw his shot blocked on the line by Us skipper Magnus Okunghae.