MANAGER John Sheridan said he would take great encouragement from his team’s performance on Tuesday night despite Swindon Town losing 1-0 at home to Lincoln City.

Town appeared to be working towards a hard-fought point against a dangerous Imps side, but for a lapse of concentration from a corner leading to Lincoln’s Lewis Montsma heading in late on.

With a taller and more physical defensive line operating against Michael Appleton’s team, Swindon dealt with almost everything their guests could throw at them competently – proved by the fact Lincoln had just two shots on target all night.

The Town boss was visibly disappointed following the full time whistle, and told reporters after the game that his team should have been celebrating at least a point as a result of their workmanlike performance.

Sheridan said: “I was encouraged by the performance, but again I’m very disappointed by the manner of the goal we’ve conceded.

“I don’t think our goalkeeper had a shot to save all night, so I was encouraged by the fact that we looked hard to beat.

“If I look at our two last performances, I’m very encouraged. The players made life very difficult for Lincoln against a very good side.

“They’re a team who are attack-minded, and who have created lots of problems against other teams who they’ve played.

“So to nullify them to a point where I don’t think our goalkeeper has had a save to make, it was a good, solid performance.”

But while Swindon showed they could be much more resolute at the back, chances at the other end were few and far between as Sheridan’s squad looked to shoot from long range more often than not.

Of the 10 shots taken at goal, only three of the home side’s efforts hit the target, and Sheridan acknowledged his players could have done more to create openings.

But in the end, the Town boss was most disappointed that his team weren’t able to keep what he felt what have been a deserved clean sheet.

Sheridan said: “We weren’t too creative ourselves, but I think we’ve had the best chance of the game with Mathieu Baudry at the end.

“To concede the goal is a real downer after the way we played and the fact we’ve kept Lincoln quiet all night.

“I’ve got to take encouragement from the game and try and take that into the upcoming games, but we’ve got to keep clean sheets – we’ve got to do that if we’re going to win games because the goal tonight shouldn’t happen.”