Swindon town's ailing defence have been given a timely boost by the return to action of Gareth Davies.

Davies played his first competitive football for nearly nine months yesterday when he played for the full 90 minutes in the reserves' 1-1 draw with Cambridge United.

The Welshman, who has had two knee operations, was just glad to play his part as Gary Alexander's first-half header earned Town a share of the spoils.

After the game, Davies said: "It's been nearly nine months since my last competitive game and I was only expecting to get an hour in today, but I'm pleased to have played the whole game and I thought I did OK.

"I feel bit stiff and the muscles are tight but it's good to be back.

"I think I'm going to need a few more games to push for a place but, hopefully, I've finally got to that light at the end of the tunnel."

At one stage the central defender feared he might have to retire from the game, but is now hoping to bolster up a defence that has already conceded 34 league goals this season.

Davies is now optimistic about the coming months after being plagued with injury throughout his move to the County Ground in March 1999.

He said: "I was gutted to have the second operation about eight weeks ago, but that seems to have worked.

"I've had a lot of help from Lilleshall, the doctors and club physio Dick Mackey.

"At one point I did think that I would have to retire but I've dug deep and the new manager has been great. I'm looking to the future.

"It's great now to be back with the lads, kicking people in training, and it's just nice to be out playing a game of football."

Winger Franco Nacca put Cambridge ahead after running through on goal before Alexander headed home Mark Robertson's corner.

Swindon: Farr, Hall, Heiselberg, Robertson, Davies, Smith (Campagna), J Williams, McHugh, Grazioli (Mills), Alexander (Young), Cowe.