MATTY Taylor believes Swindon Town lost a cup tie but expanded their repertoire after reviewing their curtailed Checkatrade Trophy assault.

Having proceeded with four at the back since arriving at the club, manager David Flitcroft fielded three centre-backs – skipper Olly Lancashire, Matt Preston and Chris Robertson – in Tuesday night’s defeat by Forest Green Rovers, in which Town lost to a late Christian Doidge goal.

Taylor revealed the new formation was largely worked on between Saturday’s 5-2 FA Cup second round defeat at Stevenage – in which he scored direct from a corner – and the midweek contest but that, despite the result, the early signs were promising.

“I thought the structure was there. We have worked, albeit only for a couple of days, on playing a different formation,’’ said the 36-year-old, for whom the Rovers game was his 20th Town appearance.

“We worked very hard, as we always do in training, on new ideas and the manager and Futch (assistant Ben Futcher) push us because, ultimately, we want to try to win games and I thought we adapted well to the formation.

“I personally didn’t feel we were under pressure at any time. They had one shot that Lawrence (Vigouroux) tipped around the post from 25 yards and then the goal.

“On the balance of play we feel a bit robbed but we’ve got another big game to look forward to against Accrington on Saturday.”

While Town’s performance at Stevenage was, by common consent, among their worst of the campaign, former West Ham, Bolton and Portsmouth ace Taylor does not believe Tuesday’s display bears similar scrutiny, despite the outcome being the same.

“The difference was that they scored and we didn’t,’’ he said.

“We had enough chances to win two games, but I suppose if we flip it around and look at the positives, we are creating chances so we just need to get back to being more ruthless in front of goal.

“I think that has probably been the big difference in the performances from when we have been winning to losing – we have just not been putting the ball in the back of the net.

“As I said, we are creating chances so there is a lot to be positive about after Tuesday.’’