IN football there are many clichés thrown about each week, but last weekend there was one heard more than any other at the County Ground.

It’s the hope that kills you.

Before kick-off last Saturday the Town squad knew two wins this week would give them a fighting chance of earning second spot in League One, not seen at Swindon since the club's relegation from the Championship in 2000.

Mark Cooper’s side needed to beat already-relegated Yeovil Town and 15th-place Walsall at the County Ground.

But we blew it.

Town earned one point out of the six required, which confirmed Swindon would be competing in the play-offs.

Last Saturday was a harrowing day as a massive opportunity was put in front of them, but they lost it with a whimper.

It wasn’t so much the defeat, but the manner of it. All season had been built up for last Saturday’s Yeovil game, the chance to fight until the last second of the season for automatic promotion - and the players threw it away.

I understand this season will be the club's highest finish in the Football League pyramid for 15 years, a huge achievement.

But after everything we’ve seen this season, and what we know that side is capable off, last weekend made a mockery of all the hard work put in over the past eight months.

Tuesday night’s Walsall game was an odd encounter, as it had the feel of a pre-season friendly.

The pivotal moment of the night came just after Town found themselves 2-0 down and we saw both Will Randall and Jermaine Hylton introduced.

Two young guys, who are both a different points in their careers, both made an impact in the side, earning a point from a seemingly-hopeless situation.

As I mentioned last week Hylton's role has been reduced to an impact sub since his arrival due to our striking talent. But after scoring recently and now earning man of the match on Tuesday, it’s hard to keep him out of the first team.

Some might say his role is best as a super sub, but he deserves the chance to start, and it has to be in a pair, ideally alongside Jon Obika.

After making his debut on the last home game of last season, Randall has found chances hard to come by due to the club's success this season.

On Tuesday, the 17-year-old saw his chance and took it.

It’s always great to see players from the club's youth academy make the first team. Randall seems to have a big talent and I really hope he will join the long list of players from our academy who have gone onto successful careers.

Follow me on Twitter @danwjonson