Match Report: Swindon Town 1-2 Accrington Stanley

Alex Henderson's wonder goal the difference as Stanley come from behind to heap further misery on Swindon

After Aaron Drinan smashed Swindon into an early second half lead, the visitors responded prior to the hour mark as they converted a penalty. Then in a loose finale, Alex Henderson’s goal was the piece of quality which separated the two teams in front of the lowest league attendance at SN1 in the Clem Morfuni era.

With just two places separating the teams and one win between the pair in their last five matches, a quality contest was not expected. Although it was certainly Swindon who made the brighter start. Rushain Hepburn-Murphy had the first effort of the match when he fired wide of the near post inside the box with four minutes on the clock. 

Aaron Drinan would soon force the first save of the game with a curling effort from a Dawson Devoy ball.

Minutes later, Swindon created the first clear cut opening of the evening. An excellent cross field pass from Charlie Austin set Hepburn-Murphy free on the right flank. There he found the run of Devoy who with the help of a touch from Glatzel saw his effort denied, Charlie Austin then had a follow up cleared off the line in a goal mouth scramble.

The first 20 minutes ultimately saw Swindon dominate the ball and look the more likely team yet have nothing to show for it. From the half hour mark, Accrington began to grow into proceedings. This saw Jack Nolan create two good opportunities for Korede Adedoyin. The first came in the 32nd minute when Nolan’s cross saw the unmarked Adedoyin have his shot blocked in the box. 

The second came 10 minutes later when Nolan’s cross found Adedoyin, sandwiched between two defenders, head over the bar. It would be the last noteworthy action in a half which dragged at times.

The second half began quickly with Paul Glatzel winning a corner thanks to his well hit first time effort. From the resulting corner the ball fell kindly to Aaron Drinan who was on hand to smash home from point blank range and give Swindon the lead. 

Ten minutes later, Town gifted Stanley the opportunity to cancel the deficit when Dawson Devoy found himself tangled by the run of Whalley before bringing him down for a penalty. Jack Nolan made no mistake as he arrowed his spot kick into the top left corner.

From there the game became up for grabs and both teams launched bids for a winner. In the 68th minute Glatzel teed up Kokolo at the edge of the box where his strike was blocked for a corner. Five minutes later, Devoy’s curling effort from range saw the Stanley keeper pull off a save for the cameras. In this passage of play, Accrington’s best sight of goal came from Tommy Leigh’s stinging effort which was parried for a corner.

In truth the game was destined for a score draw. That was until Alex Henderson proved the difference maker as his long pop from 25 yards flew past Bycroft in goal and found the top left corner. 

A goal worthy of winning any game. Swindon were unable to conjure up any reply as they slipped to yet another defeat.