Holloway: Everything looks like we are going in the right direction

Boss Ian Holloway insisted he “couldn’t have asked for more” after his Swindon Town charges bowed out of the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.

Town were beaten by League One leaders Birmingham City 2-1 at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

Ayumu Yokoyama opened the scoring for the Blues on 49 minutes before Holloway’s side rallied and drew level thanks to a goal from Harry Smith.

But Smith wiped out his earlier impact by putting through his own net with just one minute remaining – meaning Swindon were left to ponder defeat.

Holloway said: "I couldn't have asked for more.

“To be perfectly blunt, I hated how the goals went in but we can learn from those and the overall performance against a team like that, I was delighted with.

"I was delighted with our closing and our pressing and our organisation as everything looks like we are going in the right direction.

"I am disappointed but I am not downhearted with our performance tonight."

Next up for Town is a home game against Barrow in League Two on Saturday (3pm).

(Picture: Swindon Town FC YouTube channel)