GOAL hero Harry Arter felt the elements may have conspired against Cherries during Saturday’s rain-affected 1-1 draw with Swindon.

Arter fired Cherries ahead with a sumptuous strike after 26 minutes, his fifth goal of the season, before Andy Williams bagged a late equaliser for the Robins.

Heavy downpours towards the end of the first half put the clash in doubt, although referee Phil Gibbs gave the green light for it to continue after groundstaff had worked on the pitch during the half-time interval.

Arter said: “It was disappointing to only get a point. We were the better team in the first half and I thought the conditions played a massive part in the second. They suited them a lot more than they did us. They came here to have a battle and the pitch and conditions definitely helped them.

“We tried to get the ball down and play but it was difficult to do that in the second half. If the conditions had been better, I am sure we would have got the three points. The rain slowed down the ball and it was difficult to get into a rhythm.

“Swindon are a good side and they played to their strengths. I don’t want to be disrespectful and say they are a long-ball team because they are not. They have some really good individuals but I thought it suited them a lot more than it did us.

“There were times when I thought the referee was going to call it off. Their players, especially at 1-0 down, were trying to get in his ear. They wanted it off because they were losing. There were puddles on the pitch and it was difficult to play. But, fair play to the ref, he stayed strong and we got the game finished.”