Mark Kennedy commended the resilience exhibited by Swindon Town as they secured a 1-1 draw against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
Despite starting both halves with intensity, Swindon had to settle for a single point against a Tranmere team they have only managed to defeat once in their last seven encounters.
After an initial burst of energy faded, Kristian Dennis capitalized on a loose ball in the box, scoring into an empty net.
Swindon’s energy surged after halftime, leading to an equalizer when Chris Merrie inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a corner delivered by George Cox. However, neither team was able to produce the necessary quality to claim all three points.
Kennedy expressed pride in the squad’s ability to recover, highlighting the improved performance compared to their previous outing.
He remarked, “I found several positive aspects to take away from the game. Naturally, conceding first is disappointing as it presents a significant challenge.
“I was very pleased with how we responded, and I believe we deserved at least a point. Gaining points away from home is crucial, and winning at home is essential so i will take a point at this stage.
“The most important factor for me was our performance and our reaction, especially following the defeat to Port Vale, focusing on the principles we emphasize.
“I felt we started strongly, but going 1-0 down affected us, yet the character we displayed was commendable.
“In the second half, we came out and dominated, creating several good opportunities. On another day, we might have won by a score of 3 or 4 to 1.”
In a surprising move, the head coach opted to change goalkeepers, bringing Norwich City loanee Dan Barden into the starting lineup for his first league appearance.
Jack Bycroft had been the starter in every League Two match since joining the team in January, but Kennedy explained his decision to make the switch after the match.
He stated, “As a head coach, making tough choices is part of the job.
“Jack has had a very solid start to the season and has made crucial saves; his footwork has been vital for our build-up play.
“It’s understandable that Jack feels hard done by and is disappointed sitting on the bench, and I acknowledge that.
“He is a tremendous asset to the club and has a bright future ahead, but decisions must be made. Dan’s training performances clearly indicated that he deserved a chance.
“I felt that a change was beneficial for both parties tonight, but Jack’s future here remains promising.
“It had nothing to do with Jack’s performance; it was purely a decision made by the head coach in pursuit of a victory.”
