Matty Virtue had the pick of three big chances for Swindon in the first half, but they could not make the most of them.

As the weather caved in, so did the quality in the second half, with the home team edging things, but not doing enough to score.

Five points in eight days is a positive for Swindon after their difficult run prior to that, but they will know that it could have been more.

Ian Holloway made two changes from Tuesday’s win over Barnet, of which two were thrust upon him. Anthony Munda was injured and Stephan Negru was ill, so James Ball and Tom Nichols replaced them, whilst Dan Butler was back to fitness and came in for Billy Kirkman.

Steve Evans had chosen his team with only one thing in mind: physicality. This was shown by Brad Young launching the ball long from kick-off, and Kofi Balmer hurling a long throw into the area from around the halfway line inside a minute.

But strength often struggles with speed, and this was displayed by Aaron Drinan. The Irishman turned Balmer and raced down the left in the second minute. He cut the ball back perfectly for Matty Virtue six yards out, only for him to spurn the shot wide of the far post.

It was an absorbing start to the match, with both teams going blow for blow and looking to get on the front foot.

But the big chances were coming to Swindon, as Butler, Nichols and Virtue had some lovely combination play and set Drinan through on goal. He galloped clear of the last defender and tried to find the corner, but Young got his legs in the way.

Rovers were having their chances, mostly from crosses and shots from range, only for the incisive Swindon breaks to give up the best chances. Nichols spotted a smart run from Virtue on the right side of the box; the pass to Drinan was not really on, so he tried to find the far corner, but pulled the shot.

After 33 minutes, Rovers got their big chance as Kirkman let the ball hit him and bounce to Fabrizio Cavegn in the area. He lashed it towards the corner, but the inspired Connor Ripley flung himself after it and managed to get there.

Under a relentless bombardment from Rovers, Swindon were just getting a little bit edgy in the latter stages of the first half. Having worked the ball through Rovers so many times, they were suddenly playing aimless balls and allowing the hosts to reload.

But they were able to see it through, with Joe Quigley spurning a late headed chance and getting into the break level.

The first half had been full of energy and aggression, with the referee positively contributing to a true derby feel around the game. But for two teams with one win between them in their last six games, there was a lack of quality.

The start of the second half emulated that same panicked style that had gripped the end of the first half. Both teams seemed to have become obsessed with the idea of not losing, and so if nothing is risked, nothing is gained.

After an hour, the first moment of excitement came, as Balmer’s long throw came back out to him. He whipped in a devilish low ball that was flicked off Butler and came to the far post, where a cluster of bodies contrived to divert the ball over the crossbar.

This moment seemed to perk Rovers up, and they were able to pen Swindon in, launching balls into the box.

Although this gave Swindon the space they needed to slip Drinan away for the first time in the second half. Receiving the ball out on the left, he drove into the area and laid it off for Joe Snowdon to shoot. The ball was slightly behind him, and his dragged effort was kind enough for Young to save.

Both sides saw this as the moment to gamble, with double substitutions for each. Joseph Hungo and Antwoine Hackford were the pair summoned to change the game in Town’s favour.

Those two could have made the difference as Hungbo slipped Drinan in down the side, and he sent in a low ball for Hackford. As he looked to convert, Alfie Kilgour got back with a perfectly timed sliding tackle.

Seconds later, Hungbo chased after a loose ball from a corner, chopped away from his man, and whipped an effort just wide of the bottom corner with Young scrambling.

But nobody truly wanted to take the risk that would win the game, so they would have to be happy with the point they settled for.

BRFC starting XI: Young, James, Sparkes, Balmer, Kilgour, Mola, Forde, Quigley, Kelly, Smallwood, Cavegn.

BRFC substitutes: Binns, Russell-Denny, Kamwa, Purrington, Gough, Sanayaolu, Appiah.

STFC starting XI: Ripley, Clark, Ball, Nichols, Inwood, Snowdon, Majekodunmi, Drinan, Virtue, Thomson, Butler.

STFC substitutes: Ward, Hungbo, Debayo, Hackford, McGregor, Kirkman, Millard.

Attendance: 9,897 (1,354 away).