SWINDON TOWN were able to end their streak of four defeats on the bounce after a goalless draw with Barrow on Saturday, though they will be frustrated with their inability to finish chances.

Town looked the brightest out of the two sides in the first period, with forward Charlie Austin having several opportunities to break the deadlock.

The second half saw much fewer chances created by either team, with the biggest talking point being Rushian Hepburn-Murphy getting brought down inside the Barrow box, but the penalty shouts were waived away.

Town avoided defeat, but Jody Morris’ side are still winless since February 25, and face Bradford City on Tuesday night as they look to secure a long-awaited three points.

The first chance of the game went to the hosts in the 9th minute, after Jacob Wakeling’s trickery on the left meant he was able to easily beat the Barrow defender, but his cross looped over the bar and went behind.

It only took three minutes for Town to have another chance to break the deadlock early on, this time through Austin.

The forward was found in the box through an intelligent cutback from Jonny Williams, but Austin scuffed his attempt and it was cleared by a Barrow defender.

Moments after, Swindon’s captain had a chance to redeem himself as the ball somehow returned to his feet, but his second effort was miscued and went over the head of Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.

Barrow were then forced into an early change in the 14th minute, as injured defender Rory Feely had to be taken off for George Ray.

It took until the 21st minute for Barrow to have their first real chance of the afternoon.

Winger Robbie Gotts was able to fire in an enticing cross towards teammate Ben Whitfield, however, the forward awkwardly connected with the ball and was an easy catch for Sol Brynn.

Town had yet another chance in the 27th minute, created again by the efforts of Wakeling.

The young forward was played intelligently down the left, and was able to use his pace to easily beat the Barrow defender.

He found Austin in the box, but he was too tightly marked to get a shot off so passed it to Saidou Khan, who saw his effort was blocked.

Barrow began to grow into the game, with substitute Ray having his attempted header inside the box smartly saved by Brynn.

Another opportunity went missing for Town in the 34th minute, as Williams was neatly played through on goal with just Farman to beat.

However, the Welshman took too long to fire his effort and was forced into shooting from a tight angle, which was cleared behind.

Five minutes later, Town were in ascendency once again when Austin whipped in an inviting cross towards the back post.

Midfielder Williams made a late run into the box to try and get his head on the delivery, but he watched the ball narrowly fly past him and for a goal kick.

The second period got off to a lacklustre start, with both sides struggling to string any sequence of passing together.

Drama ensued inside the 55th minute when Town forward Hepburn-Murphy looked to be brought down by a Barrow’s Patrick Brough inside the box, but referee Paul Howard waived away the penalty claims away.

Out of nowhere, the away side looked destined to open the scoring in the 65th minute when a well worked set piece delivery found the head of substitute Sam Foley, who’s effort looked to be going in.

Somehow, Town defender Tom Clayton was able to be in the right place at the right time to clear Foley’s attempt off the line and deny what looked to be an inevitable goal.

An intelligent counterattack from the hosts in the 78th minute led by Hepburn-Murphy appeared dangerous as Swindon searched for an opener. 

The forward was intentionally dragged down by Brough, handing Town a set piece opportunity in a dangerous position.

Remaeo Hutton’s delivery almost found Williams in the box, but the midfielder was unable to connect the cross and watched the ball go out for a goal kick.

The final stages of the game saw very few chances from either side, with a lack of quality in the final third from both sets of forwards meaning points were shared.