RAPHAEL Branco was Swindon Town’s hero for the second time this season as his goal earned his side a point.

The Brazilian defender, who salvaged a point for the Robins at Gillingham, headed Town level after Josh McQuoid had given Coventry the lead late in the first half at the County Ground.

After fearing that he would be without a whole host of players for today’s Coventry meeting, boss Mark Cooper named Michael Smith and Andy Williams in his starting XI, while George Barker was on the bench.

Smith, according to the Town chief in the matchday programme, has fractured his collarbone, while Barker had dislocated his shoulder.

However, there was no miracle recovery for Ben Gladwin as he had torn ankle ligaments and skipper Nathan Thompson was serving his one-match ban following his dismissal against Brighton on Tuesday night.

Defender Josh Lelan had also returned to SN1 after he went back to Derby County last weekend on a month’s loan and the 19-year-old was handed his second start in Town colours, however, midfielder Jake Reeves, who had signed a short-term deal following his release from Brentford, had to settle for a place on the bench.

However, Michael Smith was then later withdrawn from the side during the warm-up with Connor Waldon taking his place in the team for only his second professional start.

With Nathan Thompson suspended, Cooper handed the captain’s armband to his in-form Iraq international Yaser Kasim.

After an incident-free opening 40 minutes, the game sprang into life when a mistake from Lelan, who under-hit a back pass, allowed Jim O’Brien to play in Josh McQuoid and he slotted the ball beyond Wes Foderingham.

Although Coventry were doing their best to punish a shaky Town defence in the second half, it was the hosts who hit the target.

A Nathan Byrne corner saw him link up with Louis Thompson and the wing-back managed to get in a cross that saw Rafa Branco stoop down and head home an equaliser on 72 minutes.

Town and Coventry both pressed for a winner but they could not find a way through.

SWINDON: Foderingham, Byrne, Turnbull, Lelan, Branco, B Smith, Kasim ©, L Thompson, Luongo, Williams, Waldon. Subs: Reeves, Barker, Barthram, Marshall, Holland, Belford.