RICHIE Wellens felt Swindon Town let two points slip from their grasp after they had to make do with a 1-1 draw at home to Grimsby Town in League Two this afternoon.

Town dictated the majority of the play, but barring an initial siege in the opening five minutes where Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown was called into action on a number of occasions, quality chances were rarely forthcoming at either end.

The dismissal of Grimsby defender Ludvig Ohman for a second bookable offence midway through the second half eventually handed Swindon the initiative, and they duly capitalised as Theo Robinson broke the deadlock.

However, the home side promptly switched off and the Mariners were able to grab an instant equaliser through Luke Hendrie.

Wellens’ side attempted to raise their game once more, but their search for a winning goal in the closing stages proved elusive in the face of strong defending from the visitors.

The Swindon boss believed was content with his side’s levels of effort and application at the Energy Check County Ground and felt they should have been rewarded with a win.

“We were playing against a team that came to defend and put balls in areas to not really play, to win free-kicks and throw-ins and waste a lot of time – they were wasting time before they went down to 10 men,” said Wellens.

“At times, we let that affect us and it broke our rhythm a bit, but all in all, I thought it was a good, solid performance.

“I thought we should have been 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes, we started the game really well.

“They came back into it a little bit just before half-time, but other than one save, I can’t remember Luke McCormick having to do a lot apart from the routine stuff, whereas their keeper played really well.

“It is frustrating and we played better against 11 men.

“We were 1-0 up against 10 men and our midfield three decided to drop onto the back four.

“We clear the ball and they hook it back in, we clear it again and they pick it up and cross it into the box and then it’s 1-1 when really we should be two or three up. We should have won the game.”

Just two minutes separated Robinson’s opener for Swindon and Hendrie’s equaliser, which came virtually from Grimsby’s first attack after going behind.

Wellens conceded his troops switched off for the Mariners’ goal, believing they had killed the game off after going ahead against opponents a man light.

“It’s a concentration thing. The opposition are down to 10 men and you think you have won the game – you think the game is over,” said Wellens.

“It doesn’t matter whatever level you are at, if you switch off and allow balls into your box, anything can happen.

“I just think it was a little bit of complacency, but the players were great and the work ethic was good.

“All in all, it’s another good performance and we are disappointed we haven’t got the three points.”