PHIL Brown was among the spectators as Swindon Town's next opponents Cheltenham Town held promotion-chasing Notts County to a 1-1 in League Two last night.

Brown, who the Adver understands is interested in the vacancy at Swindon Town following the departure of David Flitcroft, was at Whaddon Road as third-placed Notts County lost further ground on the leaders.

Town chairman Lee Power yesterday acknowledged that the likes of Brown, who previously guided Hull City into the Premier League, would be the calibre of manager he was interested in speaking to for the County Ground hotseat.

Power said: "I know Phil has made it public that he'd like the job. He's had promotion out of this league and someone like that is the type of person of course you are going to be attracted to,'' said Power.

"There are conversations that need to be had there because there are (issues around) timescales and length of contract.

"Someone like that would be the type of person - his record is second to none - you'd be interested in speaking to and maybe taking forward.''

The reason for Brown's visit to the match is unknown, although it is understood he was originally due to attend another match in the south of England last night.

Town host Cheltenham at the County Ground on Saturday, with Power revealing yesterday that veteran player Matt Taylor would remain in interim charge for that encounter.

On the field, Terry Hawkridge put the visitors in front three minutes before the break but County's promotion push stalled in the 66th minute when Joe Morrell replied for the hosts.

Swindon remained seventh in League Two as Flitcroft's first match in charge of Mansfield ended in a controversial 1-1 draw against Lincoln City last night.

Ollie Palmer grabbed a last-minute equaliser for Lincoln in a controversial ending to their 1-1 draw at the OneCall Stadium.

Joel Byrom put Mansfield in front after 49 minutes but - after Palmer equalised - tempers frayed and both Lincoln's Luke Waterfall and the Stags' Rhys Bennett were sent off in separate incidents.

Accrington Stanley maintained their promotion push as Billy Kee's penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the home side a tight 1-0 win over Morecambe.

Forest Green boosted their survival prospects in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Newport.

Dan Butler scored a goal at each end in the opening nine minutes, cancelling out an own goal with a leveller for the hosts, before Paul Hayes put Newport in front.

Hayes grabbed his second after Gavin Gunning had briefly drawn Forest Green level, before Lee Collins sealed a point eight minutes from time.