SWINDON Town boss Mark Cooper felt his side were good enough to take all three points from their trip to Crewe Alexandra but bemoaned a lack of luck in front of goal after being held to a goalless draw.

Town shaded the play at Gresty Road but struggled to make the most of their chances, with Michael Smith and Andy Williams going close in the first half, and Jon Obika denied by home keeper Paul Rachubka in the second.

Jordan Turnbull did get the ball in the net for the visitors before the break but he was denied by an offside flag.

Cooper said: “It was very difficult conditions in terms of the pitch, and very difficult to get that final bit of quality that leads to a goal but we had enough opportunities in and around the box to win the game.

“We just needed one to fall for us in the box. We had loads of possession in and around the box but it didn’t fall for us today.

“We didn’t get that little bit of luck where it drops perfectly for someone to have a good opportunity to get it in the net.

“The pleasing thing is we didn’t concede, so it’s another point towards what we need and we move on to Tuesday (at home to Gillingham).”

Town were nearly caught out in the closing minutes as they were forced to finish the game with ten men when Jack Stephens picked up a second yellow card.

Crewe flooded forward in search of a winner, although their chance was gone when Alan Tate was also dismissed in stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

Cooper added: “Towards the end we’re gambling with 10 men and we leave them with a few counter attacks.

“Defensively, we were really comfortable until we opened the game up and tried to win with 10 men against 11. We’re trying to attack and they are catching us on the counter."

The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to Town's post-match press briefings today.