Albion manager Mark McGhee today hit back at critics of Nathan Jones in the Withdean crowd.

Jones was targeted by supporters during Tuesday's 1-0 home victory against Brentford.

Ironic cheers greeted the Welsh midfielder's withdrawal in the closing stages after he had set up the winning goal for Richard Carpenter.

McGhee said: "I thought that was very unfair. Sometimes I wonder about people's expectations in terms of quality.

"The condition of the pitch did not make for silky soccer. It wasn't a game like that, it was a game where we had to keep our concentration and shape.

"I heard some of the crowd criticising Nathan but I thought he did a tremendous job in terms of winning us the game.

"He maybe did not create as much as people would like to see going forward, he maybe didn't get past his man often enough, but he did a terrific job for the team."

Jones will not allow the abuse to affect him.

"If the crowd want to boo that is part and parcel of the game, one of those things you have to put up with," he said.

"When I had the ball I felt I wasn't as good as normal but I created our goal and worked hard for the team.

"I am not going to criticise the crowd. They pay their money so they are entitled to do it. I won't lose a moment's sleep over it."

Meanwhile, McGhee has saluted the reliability of Carpenter, who scored his fourth goal of the season against Brentford.

He said: "Occasionally somebody else has popped up and had a great game, as Adam Virgo and Dan Harding have done, but for me Richard Carpenter has arguably been our most consistent player."

Fourth-placed Swindon moved four points clear of Albion with a game in hand after winning 2-0 at home to Tranmere last night. Sam Parkin scored a goal in each half.

Tranmere, in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Millwall on Sunday, visit Withdean three days later.