FAMILIAR bells were rung in a bitter north east Lincolnshire on Saturday – favourable attacking stats could not see Swindon Town record a fourth successive League Two victory, but fans left a rain-soaked Blundell Park encouraged by the performance they had witnessed against Grimsby Town.

Richie Wellens was out to reverse a 34-month trend only a month into his new job. That was to secure four back-to-back league victories, something that has not been achieved since February/March 2016 when a Swindon side managed by Luke Williams downed Colchester United, Blackpool, Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers in League One.

Perhaps of greater concern is that Swindon have only had one opportunity to rid of that stat in the long period since – in January this year, when an away defeat at Coventry City ended David Flitcroft’s three-game winning run.

Bottom-half club Grimsby were there for the taking, especially off the back of their confidence crushing loss at Cheltenham Town only last week.

But with seven points secured from their three games prior to last weekend’s loss, Michael Jolley had reason to be encouraged as he made former Swindon frontman Wes Thomas his key attacking threat.

Storm Deirdre did her best to disrupt the game – and the home side sent an immediate cry of ‘let’s be having you’ when striking from the penalty spot midway through the first half.

Facing the gusts and rain that you would associate with this time of year, Swindon struggled to punt the ball forwards towards the conclusion of the second half and were perhaps made to rue a series of long-distance first-half chances that boggled the mind of home goalkeeper James McKeown until slapping into his hands.

The key problem noted from Saturday was Swindon’s finishing – one goal from nine shots on target does not read well.

McKeown had a blinder, but goals should have been registered. Elijah Adebayo can particularly hold his hands up after being denied by a reaction McKeown save when flicking a cross from inside the six-yard box before pea-rolling a one-on-one with the Mariners’ stopper straight into his arms – both of those chances coming in the second half.

A pre-Christmas trip to Dublin awaited Swindon’s players following Saturday’s game, but the luck of the Irish certainly was not with boss Wellens – who instead left Lincolnshire frustrated, but encouraged, by what he witnessed.

Wellens opted to make no changes to the side that defeated promotion -chasing Newport County at the Energy Check County Ground last week.

Adebayo and Kaiyne Woolery filled the attacking roles, with Scott Twine placed on the right wing.

Grimsby could count themselves unfortunate not to take an early lead when a whipped cross from the right was contested by striker Thomas and Swindon defender Sid Nelson.

A loose ball was fumbled by keeper Lawrence Vigouroux, prompting Nelson to make a rushed clearance as the visitors cleared their lines.

Michael Doughty made a bursting run through the centre of midfield to create Swindon’s first chance of the tie with 10 minutes played.

However, his left-footed effort lacked pace and was tipped wide by home goalkeeper McKeown.

Wellens’ men displayed signs of composure despite a shaky opening five minutes – Woolery watched his shot blocked while control was established on the left wing, an area that the hosts appeared to control in the opening exchanges.

Swindon’s gradual pressure led to a pinball scramble inside the six-yard box following an inswinging corner from Matt Taylor on the right.

The visitors’ hard work was undone with 24 minutes played, though, as Nelson handled the ball inside the penalty area, gifting Grimsby a chance to take the lead from 12 yards.

Although Vigouroux guessed Thomas’ aim, he could only fist the ball into the top corner as the Mariners established a lead.

Barely enough time was granted for home fans to celebrate before Swindon equalised, though, as Taylor struck with a trademark free-kick.

The veteran midfielder placed his left-footed effort into McKeown’s bottom right corner, immediately drawing the contest level.

Taylor’s equaliser did little to dampen the home side’s eagerness to push forwards – Thomas laid the ball off to Elliot Embleton just after the half-hour mark, but his powerful strike was directed into the arms of Vigouroux.

A goalmouth cross from the byline courtesy of the dangerous Charles Vernam created the Mariners’ next chance. The ball was met by Thomas, who was facing away from Vigouroux’s net – allowing the Town stopper to scramble two hands to the ball.

Two long-distance strikes from Taylor rounded off the half as Wellens’ troops entered the half level, knowing they would be kicking into the wind in the second 45 half.

Swindon started the second half with good energy as Ellis Iandolo – who was later forced off the field with a cut nose – fed Woolery into the penalty area, but he saw his shot blocked.

Grimsby responded through the dangerous link-up play between winger Ben Pringle and forward Thomas.

The latter flicked a header directly into the hands of a well-placed Vigouroux, who cleared any danger.

Adebayo emerged as Town’s biggest threat on the hour mark after a flick from six yards was superbly tipped wide by McKeown.

Swindon’s build-up counted for nothing, though, as Grimsby re-established their lead when Thomas bagged his second after pouncing on a rebound from Vigouroux’s initial save.

Further drama unfolded immediately after kick-off as referee Scott Oldham appeared to point towards Swindon’s penalty spot when James Dunne tangled with the hosts’ attacking man.

A goal kick was instead awarded – prompting outrage from the home faithful – before Adebayo burst clear into a one-on-one opportunity with only McKeown to beat.

Adebayo fluffed his lines again, though, before the rebound was hit wide by Dunne – who should’ve comfortably equalised.

A 10-minute lull followed, during which Swindon controlled the game but failed to create any chance of note.

That prompted boss Wellens to make his first two changes as Steven Alzate and Jermaine McGlashan came on in place of Iandolo and Twine.

Both changes did little to threaten Grimsby’s back four, though, as Swindon increasingly started to struggle with the strong headwind.

Nonetheless, striker Woolery continued to cause problems.

Grimsby goalkeeper McKeown was again called upon as he was forced into a near-post save after Woolery evaded two home defenders.

Wellens’ final roll of the dice saw him replace Kyle Knoyle with striker Sol Pryce.

However, Pryce could not repeat his heroics from Town’s tie against Stevenage as Grimsby held on for three points.