MARC Richards admits Swindon Town’s inconsistency cost them a spot in the end-of-season play-offs, adding the club do not merit a top seven finish.

The experienced forward struck 11 times since joining Town from Northampton in January.

But his, and the team’s, efforts towards the end of the campaign were not enough to grant Town the chance to push for promotion back into League One.

Richards told BBC Wiltshire: “We probably deserve everything we’ve got this year, we didn’t make the play-offs because we weren’t consistent enough.

“Hopefully next year we have a good push and challenge up the table.”

Richards will be back at the County Ground next season after signing until the end of the 2018/19 season.

And after experiencing a year in the second division, Richards said Town’s contracted players should now know what playing in the league is all about.

He said: “It’s a tough ask to go straight back up once you get relegated.

“I’ve got another year, hopefully whoever is in charge will build a strong squad and we can push for promotion next year.”