Swindon Town boss Mark Kennedy claimed his side “absolutely dominated” Carlisle United despite losing 2-0 to the Blues.

Kennedy said Mike Williamson’s Cumbrians put “11 men behind the ball” for the whole of the second half.

And the Robins chief also claimed a long first-half stoppage because of an injury to an assistant referee also hindered his side.

Kennedy, speaking in a club interview after the game, said: “[It’s] just bitterly frustrating. I thought we absolutely dominated the game in every area of the pitch.

“At the risk of contradicting myself, two set-pieces have cost us today.

“Jack [Bycroft, Swindon’s keeper] has not had a thing to do for the whole game.

“In terms of everything we’re looking for in possession, final-third entries, crosses…I think our crosses could have been better, but we had really good moments in the game, especially the first 15 minutes.

“The injury to the official was a bit of a kick in the teeth, I thought we were really dominant until then. Once they [Carlisle] scored the first goal, and particularly in the second half they just had 11 men behind the ball for the whole of the second half – but credit to them, they defended well.

“I looked at the game beforehand and wondered what I’d be thinking if I’ve just gone into Carlisle and had two days’ training and it’s my first game…I was thinking I’d just want to get out alive with a draw, and if we could get a win even better. Going to Swindon, it’ll be a really tough game, backs to the wall and we’ll be under a lot of pressure…

“That’s exactly what the game was. The keeper [Harry Lewis] pulled off an unbelievable save from Kabs [Kabongo Tshimanga] in the first half, we hit the post, Butts [Dan Butterworth] was so unlucky with his finishing at the end of the game.

“We did everything needed to win a game of football but the bottom line is we got League Two-ed with two set-pieces.”

Carlisle, who are still 22nd, drew level on points with fourth-bottom Swindon after winning at the County Ground for the third successive visit.

Kennedy insisted his side did more than enough to have won the game.

“We got into fantastic positions but our decision-making in the final third was poor,” he added. "

“Defending the two set-pieces was poor, that’s what separated the teams – but we were dominant.

“If I was a neutral watching us, watching the game, I’d be saying, ‘Jesus Christ, they’ve got a really good side’.

“There were nice words, kind words from their staff after the game but you’re judged on winning and losing games.

“For a team like that to come here and defend the way they did is a huge compliment to us. We now have to find a way of breaking that down.

“The official getting injured massively changed the shift of the game. I really felt it was a moment we were on top, but that’s football.”