Swindon Town 0 Blackpool 0

Last updated : 18 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Swindon Town striker Petr Mikolanda provided a contender for miss of the season as the League One strugglers endured a goalless stalemate against Blackpool at the County Ground.

Czech forward Mikolanda was handed his first start for the Wiltshire club but in the 11th minute he missed the target from eight yards out.

Rory Fallon provided him with a chance but Mikolanda put the ball the wrong side of Blackpool goalkeeper Lee James' left hand post and put a six-yard effort into the side netting midway through the first half before a head injury forced him off in the 55th minute.

Mikolanda's chances were as good as it got for dismal Swindon, but Blackpool were unlucky not to leave with a first win in 11 away games after hitting the woodwork twice during the second half.

Former Blackburn midfielder Jason Wilcox struck the crossbar with a 30-yard pile driver on the hour which had Swindon keeper Rhys Evans well beaten.

In the 79th minute Keigan Parker hit the outside of the Swindon post after a magical run that lit up an otherwise dire affair.

The Scotsman turned Swindon stopper Jerel Ifil inside out and saw his left-footed strike back across the face of the Swindon goal shaved the outside of the post.

Keigan was comfortably the biggest threat posed to either defence, and he also had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half as Blackpool threatened a miserable Christmas for sorry Swindon.

Other than Mikolanda's first half chances there was little to worry a solid Blackpool rearguard, but goalkeeper Lee Jones was forced into one good save and it needed a timely challenge from Tony Butler to deny Fallon early in the second half.

Otherwise the home side had to be content with shots from long range, none better than Andy Nicholas' 30-yard volley that flew the wrong side of Jones' upright just before the break.