DAVID Flitcroft conceded Swindon Town were punished for failing to make their dominance count against Forest Green Rovers after they were knocked out of the Checkatrade Trophy in the second round after a 1-0 home defeat tonight.

Christian Doidge got the only goal of the game for Rovers with 10 minutes to play at the Energy Check County Ground after Swindon had not made the most of several earlier opportunities.

Keshi Anderson was denied by a fine reaction stop from visiting keeper Brad Collins in the first half, while in the second, a lunging Kellan Gordon could not quite stretch far enough to turn home a driven ball into the box from fellow substitute Kaiyne Woolery.

The defeat is Town’s fourth in succession, although Flitcroft took a modicum of comfort from the fact the performance was a dramatic improvement on the one his side produced en route to exiting the FA Cup in a 5-2 second-round defeat at Stevenage on Saturday.

“I’m disappointed that we have not finished some chances we created. I thought we worked the ball really well to create some gilt-edged chances,” said Flitcroft.

“In the first half, the keeper made a good save from Keshi but if he just got either side of him, then it’s a goal.

“Wools’ cross for Kellan late on, he was just millimetres away and if it goes in, then that changes the complete dynamic.

“I think Forest Green had two shots on target. One was a fantastic save from Lawrence Vigouroux from a shot from 25 yards and the other, Doidge has got through from the first time we switched off in the game.

“We looked very solid, we didn’t allow Forest Green to create anything in the game but we have not kept a clean sheet.

“If you don’t keep a clean sheet, you don’t win football matches and we desperately wanted to win this one.

“We were bright, I thought we competed well all over the pitch and had some really good performances.

“After Saturday’s result, I was after a response, and we certainly got that.”

Town return to League Two action on Saturday but face a stiff challenge in their quest to return to winning ways as they travel to high-flying Accrington Stanley.