Swansea City 2 Swindon Town 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swansea City 2 Swindon Town 1

6:55am Wednesday 3rd October 2007

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Swindon Town striker Christian Roberts has branded referee Danny McDermid's performance a disgrace after a volatile home crowd had the last laugh over Town's Cardiff City supporting winger at the Liberty Stadium .

Roberts looked to have shoved the match-long jeers of the Swansea fans down their throats with a stunning 71st-minute equaliser, but substitute Warren Feeney broke his and Town hearts with a winner just three minutes later.

Roberts said defeat to the team he has grown up hating since a boy doubles the pain - and he was not shy on his views about who deserves some of the blame.

London official McDermid could not be accused of missing any major moments but, with the majority of the small decisions going to the hosts on the night, Roberts was unable to control his wrath post-match.

"I really believe some of the decisions against us were a disgrace," he said. "I don't think the referee was evenly balanced and it cost us some crazy decisions.

"I can't go blaming the referee completely though because we still should have come away from here with at least a point.

"I truly believe over all the game, the ref was giving petty fouls against us and we were not getting anything. Some of the decisions he gave were frightening.

"We were in good areas at times when he stopped the play, we had a penalty shout, there was a clear hand ball on the far side, and it is frightening.

"That could cost futures in the game. These refs come in and think they are doing right but they can cost us our living because decisions like that can be vital in games."

Despite not firing on all cylinders in a relatively even first half, it was Town who created the better chances with Billy Paynter denied by a brilliant diving save and Lee Peacock also thwarted by the Swansea keeper.

With just one change from Saturday's starting line-up against Millwall, Sofiene Zaaboub for Jon-Paul McGovern on the left wing, Town struggled to be their usual direct selves, but still rarely looked troubled by the Welshmen.

A horrendous misplaced square pass from Zaaboub gifted the hosts the lead when Paul Anderson rammed home from close range but apart from that Town's keeper Phil Smith was relatively untroubled.

Swansea's opener was also scored with Town effectively down to ten men, with Jack Smith needing to be replaced by Miguel Comminges after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder, but Zaaboub will know the ball should have been cleared.

"The first half was disappointing," said Roberts. "We were not so much in the game but we knew we could get something from the game still.

"We knew that was not good enough but we also knew if we stepped up we had a chance and that was what we did."

Roberts' dynamic second half performance summed up the visitors intent after the break and his solo effort equaliser on 71 minutes was the least they deserved, with Roberts going close and the impressive Billy Paynter hitting the post earlier.

But, as is so often the case in football, Town switched off and just three minutes later Feeney had headed home the winner unmarked in the box leaving Town to reflect on another decent performance without reward.

Roberts said: "We should have got something from this game. We had some great chances but just did not take them.

"I always said I would do the Cardiff celebration if I scored because I have lived there for 27 years, I played for them as a youngster and it was nice to show there is still some Cardiff in me.

"This squad is showing great character this season and all credit to the staff for that. We know off the field things are in limbo but the gaffer and his staff are keeping us focused on the football.

"Hopefully once it is all sorted it will give us that extra 10 per cent but like I said we are all focused on football."

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