PHIL Brown wants more anticipation from his strikers after Swindon Town were held to a goalless draw against Carlisle United at the County Ground this afternoon.

Town dominated this afternoon’s game, doubling Carlisle’s shot count and trebling the visitors’ corner tally.

While the draw frustrated fans, favourable results elsewhere mean Town moved a point closer to the playoff frame as Coventry City and Mansfield Town both lost against Notts County and Crewe Alexandra respectively.

And Brown said the point could be a ‘great’ one as Town’s turbulent playoff charge continued.

He said: “It’s very frustrating.

“Regardless who is playing, teams are showing us a lot of respect and are changing their systems to boost their defence.

“Carlisle had been playing with a back four but their manager saw the threat we have up front with Marc Richard and Kaiyne Woolery and changed it.

“Their front changed the way they played as well which caused problems.”

Town were handed an early blow when Kellan Gordon was forced off the field with a dislocated shoulder in the opening minute of the game.

It’s the second time Town have been hit by a dislocation in the past week after Luke Norris suffered the same injury at Crawley on Easter Monday.

Irish midfielder Donal McDermott came on to fill in the midfield while the returning Olly Lancashire played 66 minutes.

Brown said: “ “I’m delighted for Olly (Lancashire) who played 10 minutes more than expected.

“Rico (Marc Richards) was treading water at the end and our supporters have to understand that. He probably should’ve got the winner with his chance in the first half.

“I can only criticise the quality of our play in the final third – it’s something you pay a lot of money for.

“Matt (Taylor) terrorised Carlisle’s defence with the quality of his crosses, he told me after he’s never had to cross so many balls in a game.

“And we need our strikers to anticipate those crosses. I’ve only been here for five games and I know what’s coming. I need my forwards to understand what will come.

“I need more anticipation and a bit of quality from my strikers.”

Town are next in action on Tuesday night against Yeovil, a side which Brown expects to defend in a similar style to today’s opponents.

He said: “The lads will need to rest and make sure the energy levels are up for Yeovil.

“I won’t expect anything different from them. I think they’ll shut up shop.

“We’re not out of the race, this might be a great point.

“I’ve been asking for clean sheets and today I got one.”