Football: Fjortoft flying for Swindon

Swindon Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

West Ham United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

SWINDON paraded their latest signing on Saturday, a corpulent furry figure christened the Rocking Robin whose sole contribution was to run around making a fool of himself. Less than two months ago that was also the fans' verdict on John Gorman's first signing, Jan Age Fjortoft, the Norwegian whose opening 24 appearances were marked by much bluster but no goals.

Since then he has scored nine in seven matches, the latest earning a valuable but probably inadequate point against a measured but unadventurous West Ham. Fjortoft, who is likely to play for his country against Wales on Wednesday, admits to an individual style which he feels is being rapidly refined in England.

'There is always someone better to learn from here,' he said. 'I have been working on my heading and today was a good test as I was facing Alvin Martin. He has been playing for about 200 years and is still good.'

Fjortoft did not win many headers against Martin, but from Ty Gooden's cross headed an excellent - if largely unchallenged - equaliser. Swindon deserved it, if only for their positive football driven on by Martin Ling and Frank McAvennie. McAvennie's experience may be Swindon's last hope especially as their next four matches are against Newcastle, Manchester United, Blackburn and Arsenal.

West Ham had gone ahead through Trevor Morley who eluded Shaun Taylor to score after Lee Chapman had neatly headed down David Burrows' cross.

Goals: Morley (47) 0-1; Fjortoft (87) 1-1.

Swindon Town (4-3-1-2): Digby; Whitbread, Nijholt, Taylor, Horlock; Summerbee, Moncur, Ling; McAvennie (Gooden, 75); Fjortoft, Mutch (Scott, 81). Substitute not used: Hammond (gk).

West Ham United (4-4-2): Miklosko; Breacker, Martin, Potts, Burrows; Marsh, Bishop, M Allen, Holmes (Rowlands, 75); Chapman, Morley. Substitutes not used: C Allen, Kelly (gk).

Referee: R Milford (Bristol).