SWINDON Supermarine could have wrapped up three points against Hemel Hempstead by half-time according to joint-boss Gary Horgan.

Marine went on to draw 0-0 away at their relegation rivals, with Max Etheridge missing two one-on-one chances in the first half.

The visitors controlled much of the opening period before the contest became more even after the break, and Horgan believes his side could easily have come home with all three points.

“We were in control for much of the game, especially the first half an hour when we were really good.

“We kept the ball well and made a few chances, and if Max had been able to finish one of them I know we would have gone on to win.

“It is an old cliché, but goals do change games and this one is a real example of that.”

The result leaves Marine four points from safety with five games to go, and Horgan is convinced a point against the side immediately above them could prove vital.

“We obviously wanted all three because that would have made a real difference to the table, but avoiding defeat and picking up a point is crucial,” Horgan said.

“Hemel are not the side we really need to be chasing down, it is the sides above them, but if we had lost to them it could have made things really hard for us.

“The spirit in the camp is still good and we still think we can stay up, and we are targeting three more wins which is a tough ask. It may be enough, it may not, but I know it will give us a chance.”

Horgan and fellow joint-boss Matt Robinson gave a debut to goalkeeper Grant Porter, who kept his side level with a point-blank save just before half time in his first game since arriving on loan from AFC Totton.

“Grant was great and we are really lucky to have him,” Horgan said.

“The save just before half-time was vital for us, and he organised the defence well from start to finish.

“He didn’t have an awful lot to do, but what he did have to do he did well, and that is what we needed.

“If you have a good goalkeeper who is consistent he can earn you 10 or 12 points a season, and hopefully Grant will help us win some between now and the end.”

Elsewhere in the Southern Premier, Chippenham Town's winless run was extended to eight matches as a late goal at Hardenhuish Park secured a 1-0 win for Oxford City.

Aaron Woodley struck 10 minutes from time to pile on the misery for Adie Mings' men, who have won just once since the turn of the year.

Cirencester’s chances of staying in the league are all but over, after the bottom side went down to a 3-1 defeat at Cambridge City.

The loss leaves the men from the Corinium 14 points from safety with five games remaining.