JAMES Dunne believes the never-say-die nature of Swindon Town’s last two results in League Two epitomises the strong spirit within the squad.

Richie Wellens’ side endured a tough spell over the Christmas period, collecting only three points amid a five-match winless run.

However, Town arrested that form with a 2-1 win at Macclesfield Town on January 5, before following it up with a 2-2 draw at home to league leaders Lincoln City last weekend.

Victory over Macclesfield was only secured with virtually the last kick of the game as Jak McCourt scored a stoppage-time winner.

Then against Lincoln, Town had to come from two goals down to earn a point, courtesy of Michael Doughty’s double.

Although Dunne concedes Town could – and possibly should – have had more than one point against the Imps given the fact the visitors were reduced to nine men early in the second half after a pair of red cards, the midfielder says it has kept the mood in the camp high ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tranmere Rovers.

“We have had quite a few games this season where we have got late results,” said Dunne.

“It shows the attitude is good and I think it shows how fit we are as well because we keep going until the end.

“There is good team spirit and since the gaffer has brought the new boys in – Canice (Carroll), Ali (Koiki) and Ben (House) – they have fitted straight in with the group.

“We wanted to go for the win against Lincoln and when they went down to nine men, we were probably all expecting to win from there.

“But we built on the Macclesfield game and got a point and now we go into Saturday against Tranmere.

“Hopefully that point might be a good point if we get something out of this weekend’s game.”

Dunne admits the match against Lincoln left the Town players somewhat perplexed, with the hosts trailing 2-0 at the break despite a strong first-half performance.

The Imps’ first red card of the game for Bruno Andrade actually gave them impetus as goals from Jason Shackell and Shay McCartan put Danny Cowley’s side in control, but Dunne was proud that Town refused to roll over and accept defeat.

“In the first half-hour, I thought we controlled the game,” said 29-year-old Dunne.

“We were getting on top of them and getting the second balls and pinning them in.

“Then they went down to 10 men but went 2-0 up, and we’re wondering how it happened.

“In the second half, we got a goal after about 10 minutes and it gave us time to push on and hopefully go for the win.

“When we got back to 2-2, we were thinking we were going to go on and win the game.

“But I think that’s why they are top of the league – down to nine men, they still defended really well.

“It was a strange game to play in.”