WINCHESTER City boss Craig Davis praised his side’s "strength of character” for bouncing back from Thursday night’s 1-0 defeat at AFC Totton to claim a point at Swindon Supermarine.

City, playing their fourth match in eight days – three of them against promotion-chasing sides – dug deep after falling behind to a 29th-minute Joe Selman goal to equalise through Rob Carr with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Having gone close with efforts from player-boss Davis and sub Simba Mlambo, City were then denied by Zak Westlake’s goalline clearance after Mlambo – on for dead leg victim Oli Bailey - had rounded the goalkeeper.

With Winchester committing men forward, Callum Parsons hit the post on a Swindon breakaway but, eight minutes later, City got the goal their pressure deserved when Carr burst through for a clinical finish.

City piled on the late pressure but couldn’t find a way past Marine keeper Josh Hill.

“I’m immensely proud of every single one of the boys bearing in mind the week we’d had and the fact that Swindon had had a completely free week.

“The mental strength of character we showed to get a result and for it to matter to the players like it did is testament to what we’re all about.

“It’s given us real confident knowing that we’re doing the right things and I think the supporters and everyone behind the scenes has been energised as well.

The result keeps Winch 11th in Evo-Stik South West and Davis said: “We’ve got to keep it flowing now and see how many points we can get. We’ve already improved on last season’s tally by five points.”

Joe Hayward has been rested for the last couple of games but should be back available for the visit of champions Taunton Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).