Swindon Town 0 Bristol City 0

Last updated : 13 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer
West Country rivals Swindon Town and Bristol City saw their slim play-off hopes dashed after cancelling each other out in an entertaining goalless draw.

Both sides needed a win to keep alive their play-off hopes, but a mix of bad finishing and last-ditch defending saw both sides fall foul in front of goal.

Swindon striker Rory Fallon, who was making his first league start for the Robins since January, wasted several good chances throughout along with strike partner Sam Parkin.

Swindon were quickest out of the blocks and created two good chances in the opening 90 seconds.

Inside the first minute wing-back Steve Jenkins swung in a cross from the right and Bradley Orr was on hand to clear with Fallon at the back post ready to pounce.

Just seconds later a Sam Igoe cross found top scorer Parkin six yards out, but his header was directed right at keeper Steve Phillips who palmed the ball to safety.

City top scorer Leroy Lita wasted a good chance in the third minute when he dragged a shot wide of the right-hand post after good work by Stephen Brooker.

Swindon were then unlucky on two occasions in seven minutes, as striker Fallon hit the woodwork twice.

On 24 minutes Grant Smith's corner was headed back across the box by Sean O'Hanlon and Fallon somehow hit the bar with the goal at his mercy from only two yards out.

And Fallon's luck continued to desert him seven minutes later when his dipping volley from 25 yards was tipped on to the post by Phillips.

Parkin, who has hit 22 goals this season, wasted another good chance on 73 minutes when he headed wide from six yards from a Smith corner when unmarked.

Fallon continued to try, but was again unlucky on 77 minutes when his diving header from a Jenkins cross sailed over the bar to sum up his evening.