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At 3.15pm on Saturday afternoon, with less than 200 minutes of football behind them, Swindon Town's season looked in danger of implosion as more static defending left the side two goals down at Hartlepool.
Cut to 4.50pm, as the final whistle curtailed a fine resurgence which saw them come within inches of stealing all three points. As the travelling supporters began their long journey south, there was reason to be cheerful as Swindon's season belatedly sparked into life.
As expected, fit-again goalkeeper David Lucas was joined in the starting XI by midfielder Simon Ferry, with David Ball taking his place on an attacking looking substitutes bench.
Town recovered well from the early setback and began to look the more creative of the sides, with Austin again reminding us of his capability in the lone role up front. Only the fine form of home keeper Scott Flinders maintained Hartlepool's two-goal advantage.
Danny Wilson's substitutions have occasionally been questioned by supporters, however the introduction of forwards Thomas Dossevi and Vincent Pericard just after the hour was a bold and decisive move. Within minutes, Dossevi latched onto a loose ball 20 yards from goal, and instinctively fired home his first goal in English football.
Revitalised, Swindon pressed further, and were immediately on level terms as Vincent Pericard's excellent control in the area laid on a simple chance for Austin. The young striker finished emphatically before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the rapturous away following.
So a first point chalked up and with it a much improved performance, but concerns remain over the side's lack of leadership at the back. It was therefore reassuring to hear the manager publicly state his transfer priority this week: a new central defender.
These are a difficult commodity to acquire, with the youth-dominated loan market unlikely to offer a viable candidate. Wilson will hope to find Andrew Fitton in a generous mood when the pair sit down to discuss potential targets.
Elsewhere in League 1, Gordon Greer's debut as Brighton captain lasted just 50 minutes before the ex-Town skipper was red carded for an elbow. A second consecutive dismissal for a player not renowned for poor discipline, and who now faces an uphill battle to win over the Brighton faithful.
The division's early pace setters are Charlton and Oldham, both sides having overcome midweek cup exits to maintain a 100% start in the league. Charlton were in desperate need of a good start having lost many key players in the wake of their play-off disappointment, and in Scott Wagstaff they may have unearthed yet another home grown star.
Oldham's managerial appointment of ex-Premier League striker Paul Dickov may have surprised many, but the Latics' strong start suggests that the bullishness which defined his playing career could serve him well as a manager.
Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield have shown signs that their status among the title favourites is justified, while Bournemouth's thumping win over relegated Peterborough suggests that they, rather than the stuttering Notts County, could emerge as the dark horse among the sides promoted from League 2.
Even at this early stage, victory over Brentford this weekend looks essential as we seek to keep pace with our rivals. Saturday's comeback ought to add an extra level of belief to a side slowly finding its feet after a summer of change.
Once again there will be selection dilemmas for the manager as he strives to accommodate his best players into an effective unit. Will young centre back Sean Morrison get the chance to stake his claim? And if a home fixture warrants a more adventurous formation, which of our midfielders will be consigned to a place on the bench?
Make sure you're there to find out!
John McClernon
