Swindon Town 2-1 Walsall

Decisive Drinan for Swindon: Match report by STFC Correspondent Alfie Howlett

Aaron Drinan’s stoppage time winner was great and late for Swindon, securing their first Easter Monday win since 2014.

Jamie Jellis looked to have put the kiss of death on Swindon’s automatic promotion hopes with his second half strike, but Fletcher Holman equalised in the 80th minute before turning provider for a winner which took Town to within two points of third.

The Robins, chasing their first home win since February, listed five changes to the side which escaped Cambridge with a draw last time out. 

Two of those who combined for the equaliser, Billy Bodin and Joel McGregor, replaced Ollie Palmer and Will Wright.

Visitors Walsall were drinking in the last chance saloon chasing a playoff spot. Unbeaten in five, they welcomed back their leading scorer Daniel Kanu into the eleven.

In a huge contest, Swindon registered the first effort at goal with Billy Bodin acrobatically firing over the crossbar.

Former Town man Aden Flint poked an effort from a corner onto the roof of the net in the 11th minute.

For the remainder of the half the two teams would be locked into a mental battle, rather than a footballing one.

Despite both having so much to gain, the game was being played with a fear of losing. The County Ground was a melting pot of tension, boiling on to the pitch, leaving the players static and reluctant to express themselves.

Nine minutes into the second half Swindon had a huge wake-up call, Mason Hancock flashed a ball across the face of goal, where two Walsall players were converging but failed to finish.

However, in the 65th minute Walsall capitalised. Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s cross from the right-hand side was converted by substitute Jamie Jellis.

When hope was fading Fletcher Holman restored it, Connor Ripley unleashed the youngster where he charged down on goal and curled home in the 80th minute. It set up a winner takes all finale.

In the 92nd minute, Aaron Drinan had the massively decisive say. Ollie Palmer’s ball in behind saw the offside Drinan initially look to run on to it, before Fletcher Holman stole through.

With the freedom of SN1, Holman squared it to Swindon’s king of the season, who ruled supreme.