Ben Garner frustrated ‘lady luck’ deserted Swindon at Rochdale

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2022 by PA

Swindon boss Ben Garner was left to reflect on what might have been after his play-off chasing side were held at lowly Rochdale.

Garner had no complaints other than his side’s failure to find the net as the Robins remain 10th, two points adrift of the top seven.

He said: “It was just down to misfortune as I was pleased with our overall performance, the possession and number of chances created. It was down to a bit of lady luck and the ball not running for us in the final third.

“We had 62 per cent possession, 14 shots with seven on target, which should have won the game.

“Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. You are talking about fine margins. We deserved three points but will take one.

“We could have scored six goals in our last two games, but it is down to millimetres in some of the chances we have had.”

In the absence of injured 18-goal top scorer Harry McKirdy, Swindon lacked the cutting edge needed to pick up maximum points and an 11th away league victory – their total of 10 away-day wins is the best return of any club in the division.

Swindon had by far the better chances but were unable to beat home goalkeeper Jay Lynch, who was named the home side’s player of the match.

It has been a good week for Rochdale, who also beat Carlisle 2-0 on Tuesday for their first win in eight games and they are now 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Manager Robbie Stockdale felt his side had two strong shouts for penalties rejected, and said: “I have seen them both again and one could have been given and the second should have been given.”

Stockdale praised his side’s battling qualities, adding: “The players left everything on the pitch and there were some very good individual performances.

“You want to play well every week, but that is not always possible.

“I cannot stress the importance of clean sheets as they give you a platform on which to build.”