Bromley continued their unbeaten run with a hard fought point against a resurgent Swindon Town at a packed Hayes Lane on Sunday lunchtime, in a battle between two sides with almost identical playing styles.

Bromley went into the game unchanged from their win on Boxing Day, but this time they came up against Ian Holloway’s team who were equally as tough, with both sides utilising long throws and set pieces to create chances.

Daniel Butterworth had the first chance of the game for The Robins when he had a shot saved by Grant Smith, while The Ravens went close when Idris Odutayo headed a Ben Thompson free kick over.

Aaron Drinan, Nnamdi Ofoborh and Paul Glatzel were all off target as the visitors had a good spell of pressure, Will Wright then put a free kick just wide before Bromley rallied.

Danny Imray was fouled on the bye line just outside the area as he cut in from the right and had a lengthy spell of treatment before he could play on.

From the resulting free kick The Ravens won a corner and Karmarl Grant headed just wide at the near post from the final set piece of the half.

The second half saw Bromley start on top, Omar Sowunmi had a strong shout for a penalty when he was brought  down in the box, but Referee Zac Kennard-Kettle was unmoved.

After both sides had good spells of pressure Thompson fired wide and Swindon’s Ollie Clarke was probably lucky only to see yellow when catching Jude Arthurs with an elbow.

The Ravens took the lead soon after when Odutayo received the ball on the left from a free kick and made the space to deliver a great cross into the box for Sowunmi to head powerfully down to the far post and despite Swindon keeper Daniel Barden getting both hands to the ball he couldn’t prevent it going over the line to make it 1-0 to Andy Woodman’s team.

The lead only lasted three minutes though, as Swindon drew level when Bromley failed to clear a set piece and Roseaire Longelo lashed the ball home on the half volley from ten yards out to equalise.

The Robins then pressed for the lead with Harry Smith forcing a save from Grant Smith and Clarke firing wide.

The Ravens had a shout for penalty when Grant went down in the area and they also went close when Thompson’s free kick was headed over by Michael Cheek who took a hefty blow from Barden’s attempt to punch the ball clear.

Late on Swindon did most of the pressing,  Smith, Joel Cotterill and Clarke all shot over and Cotterill then had a shot deflected wide, but Bromley held on and had one final chance when Corey Whitely drove just wide from long range. 

A point was probably a fair result over the whole game and both teams end the year looking strong and moving in the right direction. 

Bromley: Smith, Imray, Odutayo, Grant, Reynolds (Thomas 90), Sowunmi, Thompson, Arthurs (Leigh 79), Whitely, Congreve (Olomola), Cheek.

Subs Not Used: Amantchi, Elerewe, Long, Webster. 

Swindon: Barden, Kirkman, Delaney, Wright, Longelo, Sobowale, Butterworth (Cotterill 77), Ofoborh, Kilkenny (Clarke 62), Drinan (Tshimanga 83), Glatzel (Smith 62).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Bycroft, Cox.   

Goals: BFC – Sowunmi 69mins. STFC – Longelo 72mins  

HT 0-0 FT 1-1 

Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle