Stevenage drew 1-1 with Swindon Town after crowd disturbances in the away end at the Lamex on Saturday afternoon.

The Robins snatched a point with a controversial late penalty, slotted home by Jack Payne past Boro keeper Joseph Anang.

The disputed spot-kick came when Jayden Mitchell-Lawson went to ground in a crowded box, prompting referee John Brooks to point to the spot in the second minute of time added on.

The visitors late spot-kick cancelled out Ben Coker's 53rd minute strike after Jake Taylor's chipped ball.

However, that was before drama off the field with a number of Robins fans engaged in scuffles with stewards, which led to advertising hoardings being ripped up, seats being thrown as well as red smoke bombs hurled into the penalty area from enraged away fans.

Earlier in the game, Boro's Chris Lines nearly put the home side ahead when his powerful drive from outside the box was pushed over by Robins keeper Jojo Wollacott in the 16th minute.

While Payne almost scored when his long-range strike took a deflection before Anang tipped it onto the woodwork.

Speaking about the disturbances, Stevenage boss Alex Revell told Nub News: "We know it's unacceptable.

"We should be enjoying our football...it's a shame it happens. As a group we know we're not like that.

"We don't want to comment on other people. But we know as a club we wouldn't do that. We are proud of who we are and we won't worry about anyone else."

When drawn on whether the disturbances affected the referee's decision in awarding the late penalty to Swindon, Revell said: "It's a tough question. We'd like to ask the referee, but we're not allowed.

"I feel completely let down. But ultimately the referee has made the decision and we can't change it.

"If we had VAR it would never be given in a million years.

"We are disappointed because we deserved to win the game...but there are loads of positives to take from the game. We have a great group here and we'll stick together and keep pushing."

Smoke bombs, advertising hoardings, seats, bins and other detritus were hurled onto the pitch during the game from the away end following disturbances between a number of travelling fans and stewards.

Prior to the game Swindon had warned their fans not to take pyrotechnics to the Lamex before issuing an apology in the aftermath.

The Wiltshire club's owner Clem Morfuni and CEO Rob Angus wrote on the club's website: "We were very disappointed by the events that unfolded in the away end towards the end of the game.

"While we are incredibly grateful for the large following we have away from home, the events that took place are unacceptable and cannot happen again.

"Due to the damage that was done to the away end, the club could now face further action from the EFL for this.

"We urge all of our fans to treat visiting stewards, officials and property with the utmost respect at all times."

The result sees Swindon move to fourth while Revell's Boro slip to 12th.