SWINDON Town struggled to a limp goalless draw against Cambridge United as their faint play-off hopes were all but ended with a fourth consecutive stalemate.

Following Exeter City’s earlier defeat to struggling Crawley Town, a win would have put Town within two points of seventh place as the congested race for the play-offs became even tighter.

Yet, on a day with very few clear-cut chances for either side, Town never looked likely to break the deadlock and yet another missed opportunity passed them by in Cambridgeshire.

Wellens’ calls for more ruthlessness from his players was certainly heeded by the defenders as they battled superbly to keep both United striker’s quiet, however a lack of fluidity up front suggested Town were not likely to dominate the scoreline.

Richie Wellens made one change to the team that drew at Oldham, despite dominating for large periods, with Theo Robinson taking a seat on the bench to be replaced with loanee Ben House.

The young Reading striker made his first start since joining on loan as the manager opted to save Robinson for the home game against Crewe on Monday.

There was also no place for Lawrence Vigouroux on the substitute’s bench as it appears that the Chilean’s time with the club is done amid a potentially amicable attempt to part ways.

Town opened up in confident mood once again at the Abbey, knocking the ball around neatly while Cambridge were set up to defend deep, allowing Wellens’ men to dictate the tempo.

Keshi Anderson saw an early effort go well wide before House and Woolery both had efforts blocked by a defender and goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov respectively.

Following the hectic start, both sides were seemingly unable to carve out a clear opening as moves continued to break down in the opposition’s third.

As the first half wore on, the home side came out of their shell somewhat and started to create a couple of decent opportunities.

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy flashed a shot well wide before George Taft powered a header towards the corner, only for Michael Doughty to retreat onto the line and clear the ball away.

United threatened once more before half-time as Jabo Ibehre came closest to breaking the deadlock.

After twisting Luke Woolfenden inside and out, the striker finally turned onto his right before squeezing the ball towards the corner, only for McCormick to stick out a right paw and deny the home side.

Town did have a half-shout for a penalty waved away minutes later too.

Kyle Knoyle whipped a cross in towards House and, after rising to meet the cross with his head, appeared to have his shoulder pulled, but referee Brett Huxtable waved the protests away and both sides went in to half-time level.

The game opened up far more after the restart and Cambridge had a huge chance to take the lead early on.

Almost immediately after the restart, Jabo Ibehre was sent through one on one, but despite having only McCormick to beat, the striker turned back on himself and the chance was wasted.

Kyle Bennett had a chance of his own shortly after, being slipped in down the right-hand side of the box and forcing a smart stop at his near post from Mitov.

The game of chance-tennis continued as David Amoo was sent away down the right before unleashing a powerful shot that McCormick awkwardly dealt with.

The introduction of Theo Robinson for House on the hour helped to change the dynamics of the match as Town had a target man to aim for when striving to get out of trouble.

Robinson’s presence was most keenly felt in the build up to a super chance for Doughty.

After winning a header from a long ball, the ball fell to Doughty on the edge of the box and Town’s top scorer fired a powerful effort straight at Mitov.

Ten minutes before the end, Kyle Knoyle denied Cambridge a winner courtesy of a heroic clearance at the back post.

Jevani Brown had plenty of time to pick out Ibehre at the far post, and with a simple tap in in front of him, Knoyle poked out a leg around the striker and deflected the ball over the bar.

Doughty had Town’s best chance of the game late on via a free-kick 25 yards out.

Swindon’s number three stepped up and whipped a viscious free-kick towards the top corner only for Mitov to spring away to his left and tip the ball wide.

With neither side able to carve out a final chance to win the game, the match ended all square and Town’s faint play-off hopes disappeared along with it.