Match report: Swindon Town 2-1 Forest Green Rovers

Swindon Link football columnist Alfie Howlett reports on Tuesday's home game

Swindon matched the biggest game of the season with a performance of a lifetime on Tuesday night. 

From a spellbinding first half to a determined second half, the Robins took the roof off the County Ground as they kept their season well and truly alive.

Town entered the meeting against-title chasing Forest Green Rovers with renewed hope of a play-off position thanks to a 3-0 victory at Hartlepool on Saturday. The gap stood at just four points, with this fixture being Town's infamous game in hand. Both sides were unchanged in what was set up to be a captivating contest.

Swindon made the fast start that they had promised as they flew out of the traps to win an early corner. However, despite Town's positive start in front of a raucous atmosphere it was the already promoted visitors who had the first opportunity. On nine minutes a Nicky Cadden free kick found the unmarked Jordan Moore-Taylor who could head his close range effort against the crossbar. Swindon would respond to the close call minutes later with Louie Barry cutting into the box and having an effort blocked for a corner. 

With Swindon making an impressive start it seemed more than justified that they took the lead 15 minutes in. A piece of quality from Mathieu Baudry saw him dribble out of danger and find Jack Payne on half way. Payne then played an equally impressive ball down the flank to find Harry McKirdy. McKirdy then fizzed the ball across the face of the box for Louie Barry to fire into an open net.

Despite Swindon's early dominance there could be no forgetting what they were up against. After already securing promotion Rovers were aiming for a league title. The highest scorers in the league would certainly offer Town a stern test. Just past the half-hour mark an awkward Baily Cargill effort was unconventionally saved by Lewis Ward.

The next goal would be crucial in the context of the game. And on 40 minutes that goal went the way of Swindon. Louie Barry this time turned provider as he slipped the ball back to Jack Payne on the edge of the D. Payne then took a touch and unleashed a low effort which flew past the keeper and into the bottom left corner.  It was a massive goal to double the lead just before half time.

The second half began with the visitors making an immediate substitution as they searched for a way back into the contest. The first 10 minutes were rather uneventful with Town comfortably retaining their two-goal lead. However, when Ellis Iandolo was shown a second yellow card for a bad foul things became that little bit more uncomfortable.

Ben Garner immediately reacted by bringing on Akin Odimayo for Louie Barry to shore things up. From that point on the game would be a shadow of the free-flowing football on display in the first half. The constant disruption of the game suited Swindon as they packed their own box. But just shy of 70 minutes Forest Green halved the deficit. Jonny Williams failed to clear the danger on the edge of his box, leading to a low Ebou Adams shot which Lewis Ward tipped away only for Josh March to smash home from a tight angle. 

In my opinion it was a sloppy goal to concede with Williams making a costly error, and for me Ward has to do better to save the follow up. Nonetheless it set up a nervous finish at the County Ground. Swindon certainly lived on the edge at times, with some dangerous Forest Green balls into the box asking some serious questions of the Town defence. Questions which were more than answered by the outstanding Mathieu Baudry and his team mates. 

The closest Forest Green came to breaking the Swindon rearguard came on 87 minutes when Jake Young skipped past Harry McKirdy only for Lewis Ward to deny his powerful effort. However, thankfully for Swindon and thanks to some dark arts and the fans doing their bit by not giving the ball back, the minutes ticked away without real panic. Although I must admit I was watching through my fingers at times. But after seven minutes of injury time, Swindon had held firm to secure a massive three points and an even bigger roar around the County Ground. Full time, Swindon Town 2-1 Forest Green Rovers.

It was a gargantuan effort from the players, from playing Forest Green off the pitch in the first half to fighting for their lives in the second half. Every single player can be proud. But for me two players deserve an extra mention. Firstly Mathieu Baudry. The veteran was immense in what I believe was his best performance in a Swindon shirt. If this season is to be the Frenchmen's Swan Song then what a way to go out. Secondly Jack Payne. Swindon's little magician played a key role in the first goal as well as scoring the second. The amount of effort and running he put in was just as admirable. 

Swindon's play-off bid will continue on Saturday in their final home game of the season, as they welcome Barrow to the County Ground. 

A County Ground which now feels like a fortress.