Swindon bounce straight back again
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Your support makes all the difference.Blackpool 1 Swindon Town 1
Swindon Town have returned to the Endsleigh League First Division at the first attempt and in the first full year of Steve McMahon's managerial tenure.
Five seasons have now passed since Swindon were neither promoted nor relegated and, despite McMahon's euphoria he admitted that the situation has become wearying. "We must have some stability now," he said. "We need to consolidate and build a good foundation."
Swindon should have more celebrating to do with only two points needed from four games to win the division outright. But McMahon's thoughts are already on next season. "We need another two or three players, but we can't afford to spend millions. To be honest with you, we can't afford to spend half-millions, but you'll have to ask the chairman how much is available."
This season McMahon has had to make do with borrowing players and on Saturday he fielded Hearts' Scott Leitch and Luton's David Preece. Leitch was injured after an early clash with Blackpool's goalkeepeer, Eric Nixon, but Preece had an excellent game playing just in front of Swindon's well organised back four.
Swindon went ahead early in the first half when Mark Robinson crossed and Wayne Allison headed the ball on to Kevin Horlock, who drove sweetly from 10 yards to beat Nixon.
The equaliser came as a shock to everyone. The ball fell luckily to left- back Andy Barlow, who seemed surprised at the amount of space he had at the edge of the area, but he unleashed a spectacular dipping shot, which gave Fraser Digby no chance.
Goals: Horlock (14), 0-1; Barlow (61), 1-1.
Blackpool (4-2-3-1): Nixon; Bryan, Linighan, Lydiate, Barlow; Mellon, Bonner; Philpott (Ellis, 67), Watson (Brown, 85), Quinn; A Preece. Substitute not used: Pascoe.
Swindon Town: (4-1-3-2): Digby; Bodin, Culverhouse, Taylor, Robinson; D Preece; Allen (Seagraves, 85), Leitch (O'Sullivan, 22), Horlock; Thorne (Cowe, 90), Allison.
Referee: J Rushton (Stoke-on-Trent).
Bookings: Blackpool: Preece. Swindon: Allen.
Man of the match: D Preece.
Attendance: 9,175.
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