Swindon Town did just about everything but score with another fine performance against high flying Huddersfield Town who ended the match with 10 players, writes Adrian Smith.

Swindon kicked off the last game in this year's League One campaign playing towards the massed ranks of Huddersfield supporters on the Stratton Bank and the Robins were awarded their first corner in the 2^nd minute but the ball evaded all the players and ran out for a throw-in.

Iffy Onuora had shuffled the team line-up following last week's encounter at Bristol City with Jack Smith playing as a sweeper at the heart of the Town defence.

Jerel Ifil was featuring in much of Town's play as he broke up some attacking play by the Terriers but Swindon were offering little in attack until Ricky Shakes did well to snatch possession on the edge of the box before crossing the ball but his effort was cleared.

Charlie Comyn-Platt had Town's first shot of the match when he picked up possession in Huddersfield's half before taking a couple of paces forward and unleashing a powerful rising shot which flew wide.

Tom Clarke was cautioned in the 18^th minute for a late challenge on Sean O'Hanlon some 20 yards from the Town goal and the Swindon captain needed treatment as a result of the challenge by Clarke.

Michael Pook sent a very useful measured cross down the right wing for Aaron Brown to chase and he was only denied by the on-rushing Terriers keeper Paul Rachubka.

Jack Smith did well to cut out a dangerous looking ball which had been played forward for Adnan Ahmed to chase midway through the half and the Town defender calmly cut out the danger and sent the ball upfield towards Chris McPhee.

The game was crying out for a goal and it nearly came in the 28^th minute when Rhys Evans had a nasty scare from a shot by Michael Collins when the ball flew up and hit him in the face as he bent down to take possession but he managed to grab the ball at the second attempt.

Nathan Clarke was cautioned in the 34^th minute for a nasty late challenge in the 34^th minute on Sean O'Hanlon who must have felt that he been targeted by the visitors.

Town had their 3^rd corner of the match in the 36^th minute which was swung over for Michael Pook to shoot but he scuffed his effort and the chance was gone.

Huddersfield attacked briefly but David Graham lost his footing in the penalty area and Jerel Ifil was able to clear with the Huddersfield player appealing for a penalty but the referee was not interested. Shortly afterwards Sean O'Hanlon had to leave the field as he had been injured in the two challenges by Terriers players which had seen both receive yellow cards and the Town captain was replaced by Ben Wells.

Nathan Clarke committed another bad challenge in the 42^nd minute on Chris McPhee which merited a red card but the referee G Salisbury decided that a warning would be sufficient at this stage even though Clarke had already been cautioned for a previous foul on O'Hanlon. The free-kick was taken long by Jack Smith and when the ball was swung into the Town area, Lucas Jutkiewicz headed wide.

Ricky Shakes wasted a gift wrapped opportunity as the match entered added time when the ball ran to him in plenty of space but his snap shot flew well over but with a bit more composure he could have controlled the ball before shooting .

Town continued to press forward but could not get a shot on goal before the half time whistle was blown.

Half Time:  Swindon Town 0 Huddersfield Town 0

Classic singer Laurence Robertson entertained the crowd during half time with a couple of rousing songs including Nessun Dorma evoking memories of Italia 90 and the Town End responded with some good humoured singing before the players took to the field for the second half.

Huddersfield substituted Nathan Clarke at half time possibly to prevent him from picking up any more cautions and they also replaced Danny Schofield with Chris Brandon.

Swindon started the half brightly with attacks down both flanks without delivering the final shot on goal.

Huddersfield player Adnan Ahmed appeared to punch the ball away in his own penalty area from a cross with the assistant referee in line with the play but neither he nor the referee saw the offence so Town were denied what had appeared a clear penalty. Moments later Town were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Jutkiewicz just outside the penalty area and up stepped Aaron Brown but his dipping free-kick landed on the  roof of the net.

Chris McPhee wasted a good opportunity in the 58^th minute when he found himself  clear of the defence but his weak effort from the edge of the area was easily saved.by Rachubka.

At the other end the visitors had their first corner in the 60^th minute but Town were able to clear the danger but only to Michael Collins although his shot was high and wide.

Michael Pook was cautioned for a trip on an opponent in the 61^st minute but the visitors wasted the chance and the ball was cleared.

Pawel Abbott demonstrated his attacking prowess with a rocket shot from 25 yards which Rhys Evans did well to parry at the expense of a corner which was cleared by the Town defence.

At the other end Town were denied a deserved goal when a superb cross by Aaron Brown reached Ricky Shakes at the back post but his header struck the post and the ball was cleared.

The referee showed massive leniency in the 65^th minute to Adnan Ahmed who committed a dreadful foul on Gareth Whalley with the Terriers player catching Whalley high on the shin which the referee only punished with a yellow card when a red card was deserved.

Two minutes later Jamie Cureton and Toumani Diagouraga replaced Gareth Whalley and Charlie Comyn-Platt.

Jamie Cureton was taken out in the 70th minute by a foul from behind by Tom Clarke and although the referee allowed Town to continue attacking, he eventually brandished a second yellow card at Clarke for the foul on Cureton. Several of the Huddersfield players surrounded the referee but they could have few complaints having had the benefit of some lenient officiating.

John McAliskey replaced David Graham in the 73^rd minute as Huddersfield looked to try and seal at least a point from the match.

Shortly afterwards Jamie Cureton was denied a goal for Town as he latched onto a cross by Jutkiewicz but his header from close range struck the crossbar with Rachubka beaten in the 74^th minute.

Lucas Jutkiewicz was having a fine game for Town and he nearly capped his day with a goal from a close range header but Rachubka dived full length and pushed the  ball out where it was hoofed clear for a corner.

Town continued to make use of their numerical advantage with attacks down both flanks as chances went begging and they were almost punished when a slip by Jerel Ifil let in McAliskey but he struck the crossbar with Rhys Evans furiously backpedalling.

Town responded through Jamie Cureton who fired in a fierce volley from 20 yards which flew narrowly wide of the upright and moments later Chris McPhee wasted another chance when he dithered in the 6 yard box with the ball at his feet and the chance was gone.

Both teams continued to press for the opening goal but there was no other significant action to report before the referee blew the full time whistle on the final match in Town's  League One campaign. 

So the Robins will line up in League Two next season but they will not be joined by local rivals Oxford United who were relegated today to the Conference and understandably there was plenty of interest in their result today around the County Ground.

The Town players went back on the pitch after the game to show their appreciation to the fans for their support throughout the season and the Robins faithful responded with a good round of applause.

Swindontownfc.co.uk hope that you have enjoyed the coverage of Town's matches throughout the season and we will continue to bring you news from the Club during the summer including details of the new fixtures for season 2006/7.

Full Time:  Swindon Town 0 Huddersfield Town 0