MARTIN Smith says Swindon Town must be more ruthless if they are to make a success of their League Two campaign.

The 23-year-old midfielder had a great chance to level the scores during last Saturday's n arrow 1-0 defeat at Colchester United, with home stopper Rene Gilmartin keeping out the effort to ensure the U's remained in front.

Looking ahead to Town's FA Cup clash at home to York City this weekend, Smith says there is no time for the squad to sulk over their current dip in form as they look to rectify that back at the Energy Check County Ground.

After conceding too many goals at the start of the season, Smith says the problem now stems from the opposite end of the pitch as Phil Brown’s side aren’t scoring enough goals.

“It’s not going to be an easy game on Saturday. We need to lick our wounds and go again and be ready for the weekend,” said Smith.

“We have to become the best unit that we can be and we have to show that every Saturday when we are on the pitch.

“We need to be more ruthless. We have got to the stage where we have been getting clean sheets and we aren’t conceding goals or chances.

“Now we need to do it in the other box. The game is won in both boxes, it is decided by taking chances and keeping the ball out of your own net.

“We need to get that balance right of keeping clean sheets and taking chances when we do get them.”

A defensive mistake lead to Colchester’s decisive goal last Saturday as Town failed to regroup after a break in play when the U's former Swindon striker Luke Norris picked up an injury.

After going behind, Swindon had two great chances to draw level, the first falling to Smith before Keshi Anderson then stroked a shot of his own wide.

Smith has since called for the Town players to take responsibility for their actions, and told his team-mates that they need to be aware at all times.

“We have to take responsibility as players on the pitch and as a team. That’s the only way and that doesn’t come with coaching or anything like that,” said Smith.

“That comes from ourselves and that means on the pitch.

"In key moments, we have to switch on, be streetwise and be ready.

“We have to be alive from restarts and set plays. We need to do that straight away because we are shooting ourselves in the foot and that’s the most frustrating thing.”