By Mark Mitchener BBC Sport at the County Ground

Swindon 0-3 Bournemouth

Manager Andy King remains optimistic that Swindon can make the play-offs - despite losing 3-0 to Bournemouth.

King's men are now four points behind the Cherries, who occupy the the last of the four League One play-off slots.

"There wasn't much between the two sides, but simple mistakes made the difference," the Robins boss said.

"The first goal was diabolical defending right at the start of the game, which made it difficult - and then we gave away a silly second goal."

Having trailed 1-0 at the interval, King admitted: "We said at half-time that the pitch is in a terrible condition and it wouldn't allow you to play football.

"We needed urgency, commitment and effort, but Steve Jenkins was totally at fault for the second goal - although he's been tremendous in recent weeks and he's owned up straight away - and that goal killed us.

"It was an awful game, but they made no mistakes and we made three - it was a poor day at the office."

King, recently joined by new assistant Mick Harford, had been named as the division's manager of the month during the week - and the majority of a season-high crowd of 8,275 would have left disappointed as their six-game unbeaten run was halted.

But he must now lift his side before next weekend's trip to leaders Luton - while fellow high-fliers Hull, Tranmere and Hartlepool also await the Wiltshire side in the closing weeks of the season.

We can still get ourselves back in it Swindon boss Andy King King wins manager of the month

"We've got to start again, as this result has put us on the back foot," he reflected.

"We had a good opportunity which was there for us to take, but this game can kick you in the butt.

"We can still get ourselves back in it, but we now have to go to the league leaders and fight for our lives.

"We're going to a very difficult place, as Luton are buzzing at the moment, but the challenge and the rewards of that game are immense.

"I think they're going to be champions, and I think they've deserved that with their consistency throughout the season - but we won there last year, and we've got to keep that belief.

"Hartlepool losing 6-4 at home to Wrexham was an incredible result, but that's the way this league's been. There are still 10 games left and we didn't look that different to Bournemouth, who are sixth.