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Dean Smith keen to continue improved form

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Dean Smith has called on Walsall to retain their momentum as he looks to extend their unbeaten record at Swindon.

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The Saddlers boss has not lost in four visits to the County Ground as a manager.

And he believes the 3-1 victory there last season was the best performance of the campaign.

"It would be nice to replicate that performance but hard," said Smith, whose team are unbeaten in their last five games and targeting a top-10 finish in League One. "It was a very good performance and I am sure Swindon will remember that.

"At the same time, they have had a fantastic season and we know the challenge which awaits us."

Robins boss Mark Cooper is set to ring the changes after calling time on his team's assault on the top two.

A shock 1-0 defeat to relegated Yeovil on Saturday left them seven points behind second-placed Preston with just four games to play and Cooper has vowed to rest players in order for his team to be fully focused on the play-offs.

"I have read his comments," said Smith. "They can change what they like, it won't affect our outlook.

"We want to keep our run going and keep the momentum we have built in recent games."

Swindon were 4-1 winners at the Banks's Stadium on Boxing Day but Smith denied that result will give his players any added motivation.

"We certainly don't feel we deserved to lose by that score on the day," said Smith.

Defender Ben Purkiss believes the manner of that defeat, when Swindon scored three times in 11 minutes, will have the Saddlers on their guard.

"Hopefully it will focus the mind," he said. "We know what they have to offer, hopefully we can put in a good performance.

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