LUKE Williams reckons Swindon Town went into their shells instead of trying to kill off Shrewsbury Town in today’s disappointing 1-1 draw at the County Ground.

Victory over the Shrews would have helped Swindon’s bid to pull away from the League One relegation zone and they looked on course to do that when John Goddard gave them the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half.

The visitors also went down to 10 men as Aristote Nsiala was shown a straight red card for his foul on Luke Norris.

However, Town were unable to capitalise and the game turned when they also had a man dismissed, with James Brophy picking up two bookings in quick succession.

That allowed Mat Sadler to earn the Shrews a point with a late header and Williams was left dumbfounded at why his team did not capitalise on the momentum they had with a goal and numerical advantage.

“I don’t think there was a great deal in it. If we had held on, I think we would have deserved it for taking the lead and for fighting, but either way, I think both teams can say they deserved it,” said Williams.

“It’s hard to know (why it was a disjointed performance). We looked more nervous playing against one less player when we were in front than we were at 0-0.

“It is just anxiety and pressure and it is affecting people’s decision making and that showed – there’s too many unforced errors.

“I would have thought so (that we would grow in confidence) but I have just watched a team go into their shells and look nervy and hesitant.

“We make the wrong pass, the wrong speed of pass, (got) the wrong side of the body and when to play safe and when to play forward and aggressive (was) wrong.

“I would have thought it would give a team the lift but it seemed to have the reverse effect on us.”

Williams had no complaints with referee Nigel Miller’s decision to dismiss Brophy, whose bookings came in the 68th and 70th minutes, and the Town head coach reckons his team should have been much more savvy and allowed the officials the chance to even out the numbers.

“I am quite sure that after the referee sent off a player for the opposition, maybe he is more inclined to send one off of ours, but we need to not give him the opportunity to make a second booking,” said Williams.

“It is a bad decision in the heat of the moment again and it cost us.”