SWINDON Town head coach Scott Lindsey admits his side are a work-in-progress but felt they competed “really well” against a strong Leyton Orient team on Tuesday night.

Lindsey’s men drew 1-1 with Richie Wellens’ outfit after Harry McKirdy opened the scoring in the fourth minute and Paul Smyth replied for the O’s three minutes later.

Although Orient dominated the shooting statistics, Town goalkeeper Sol Brynn was in inspired form and denied George Moncur and Idris El Mizouni on several occasions to help the hosts take a point.

MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient in League Two.

Swindon’s third league draw in succession leaves them in 19th still ahead of another home game with struggling Rochdale to come at the weekend.

But analysing a determined display from his team, Lindsey credited Orient with pushing Town to the limit.

He said: “We played against a very good side tonight. They’re very expansive and they move the ball really well.

“My boys competed really well tonight. We were good in spells, and we stuck to the task, so I’m proud of the team.

“We played against a really good side, and they did really well. I did feel towards the end that we were the team looking more likely to go on and win it, so I was pleased with that.

“We didn’t sit in and defend, we kept going to try and steal the victory in the end.”

After Town had survived a period of pressure midway through the second half, the hosts controlled the remainder of the contest without forcing Lawrence Vigouroux into any real work.

Lindsey felt his players became aware that any late goal would lead to a defeat, so they played too safely and kicked it long when the smarter option would have been to keep passing.

But overall, Lindsey feels his team is continuing to head in the right direction.

He said: “It’s a work-in-progress, we were playing against a really good side, but I thought the lads really dug in and did well.

“We can play more, especially in the second half. I think, given the results, the boys don’t want to give up a point and concede so they get anxious a little bit.

“I want to us to be a little bit calmer with the ball and try and find more passes to play through the thirds rather than lumping it forward.

“But I do get it, and I do understand how players can get anxious, but I would like us to be a little calmer and play our game.”