ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill believed his side’s performance warranted at least a point as they came from two goals down to salvage a draw against Swindon Town.

The Dale boss felt his side had the better of what was a very open first half, but his side almost went into the break two goals behind after Jonathan Obika’s strike in the opening 90 seconds and Nathan Thompson’s injury time header.

However, Jamie Allen made a late bid for goal of the season with his left-footed power-drive that found the top corner to halve the deficit before the interval before substitute Matt Lund made the most of Louis Thompson seeing red in the second half to haul the hosts back level.

“I thought today the performance was superb,” said Hill, whose side saw their faint hopes of sneaking into the play-offs diminish with the draw.

“We missed a penalty, Joe Bunney has had a great opportunity – it was saved magnificently by a debut keeper.

“It was a good performance without being a great result.

“(Swindon) are a good side and the way they play I love it but they opened us up for the first goal.

“I thought we edged the first half and it would have been a travesty to be 2-0 down going in at half time but Jamie salvaged us with an unbelievable strike with his left foot.

“Today I am really proud but it is tinged with a bit of disappointment.”

Hill was also full of praise for Town's debutant goalkeeper Will Henry, who not only thwarted Ian Henderson from the penalty spot but also made a string of top drawer saves to keep Swindon in the tie.

However, Hill called for his side to be more clinical on what was a difficult playing surface at Spotland.

“He made some good saves, he did make some good saves,” he added.

“Should we have taken advantage with some of the opportunities we had? Yes.

“The pitch doesn’t help. It slows us down and it is not crisp for both sides.

“It’s a shame really because I know the groundsman works exceptionally hard and hopefully it will be better next season with the investment that we need.”