Frustration for Cambridge United head coach Colin Calderwood after defeat to Swindon Town

Colin Calderwood was left frustrated by Cambridge United’s performance as they were beaten 1-0 by Swindon Town in Sky Bet League Two.

The only goal of the game came through Jerry Yates in what was a lacklustre first half from the U’s.

They picked up their level of performance after the break, but did not do enough to find an equaliser.

“In the first half we never gave ourselves the chance to get any foundation because we turned the ball over so quickly,” said the U’s head coach.

“We went for passes in areas that we knew they were strong in and they intercepted, and that never gave us any life or oxygen to really breath into the game.

"Most of our work was done defensively, which we had to diligently. We came up against a smooth operating team, who really tested us and pushed us at the back and, without creating loads of chances, really threatened and made us work.

"I just said to the boys, the difference is to get into the game we had to do better with the ball and we did slightly better in the second half.”

Adding to the frustration for Calderwood was another blank and defeat at home.

They headed into the match after back-to-back wins on the road - at Crewe Alexandra and Mansfield Town - but were unable to replicate that form at the Abbey Stadium.

“It’s trying to get a home record,” he said. “Our away record is sitting quite nicely at the minute.

“[At home against] Forest Green and Oldham we looked as if we would have a danger about us, but we didn’t have that in the first half and found ourselves behind.

“We didn’t test them enough, they gained the lead when we were poor so credit to them.

“They are going to contend and have some good players. They controlled the first half, but they only controlled it because we kept giving them the ball back and being loose with our passes.

“It’s where our improvement has to come and I think we would test them. You could see in moments in the second half, if you make them defend every team has a problem with that because it’s very hard to defend properly with every attack and you might get a break or good play to create a chance.

“Our moments were fleeting and not enough, but the really annoying fact and frustration is the level of passing and possession in the first half.”

With three tough games in a week, Calderwood could not fault the endeavour of his players though.

“I think, probably overall, the week and the energy expended has not allowed us to force the game even more in the second half the way we would like,” he added.

"I've got to give credit to the players, they’ve had a great week. They were absolutely done, I have absolutely no complaints.

"If there was any energy left in any of them then we could moan a little bit, but they've given their all and that's probably given us some sort of chance, but not enough to win the game.”