SWINDON TOWN - 2 (Austin '52; Ward '60)

CHARLTON ATHLETIC - 1 (Burton '65)

Swindon Town: David Lucas; Kevin Amankwaah (Darby '75), Gordon Greer (Capt.), Scott Cuthbert, Alan Sheehan; Jon-Paul McGovern, Simon Ferry, Jonathan Douglas, Alan O'Brien (Timlin '84); Danny Ward, Charlie Austin (Pericard '88)

Substitutes: Phil Smith (GK), Stephen Darby, Vincent Pericard, Frank Nouble, Lecsinel Jean-Francois, Michael Timlin, Craig Easton

Charlton Athletic: Darren Randolph; Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly, Sam Sodje, Gary Borrowdale; Lloyd Sam, Nicky Bailey (Capt.), Jose Semedo, Therry Racon; David Mooney, Deon Burton

Substitutes: Rob Elliott (GK), Miguel Llera, Scott Wagstaff, Chris Solly, Kyel Reid, Akpo Sodje, Nicky Forster

Referee: J J Linington

Attendance: 13, 560 (2,024 away supporters)

6.40pm - The teams are in. Scott Cuthbert, Alan O'Brien and Kevin Amankwaah replace Lecsinel Jean-Francois, Billy Paynter and Stephen Darby respectively. Vincent Pericard returns to the bench.

7.30pm - Sky prepare to start their broadcast as the Swindon Town Rockettes begin their part of the pre-match entertainment. It's not too long before Rockin' Robin begins his trademark Haka. Go on Robin! Show the nation how it's done!!

7.40PM - It's nearly time ladies and gents. If you're sat at home or abroad reading this then I truly feel for you - the atmosphere at the moment is ELECTRIC!

7.45PM - This is it - Tora! Tora! Tora! Cry God for England, Harry and Saint George! - Whatever you wish to insert in here I think we're all united by one chant - COME ON SWINDON! Charlton get us underway kicking towards the packed Town End.

7.49pm - What a chance! A ball in to the box finds Austin unmarked and the striker can only head straight at the goalkeeper who flaps at the effort. It comes out to the waiting Greer who can only head wide.

7.55pm - Another chance for Austin. We'll forgive him for this one though: McGovern chases down a loose ball and gets a looping cross over but the Town number 32 can only nod the ball into the grateful arms of Darren Randolph.  

7.57pm - It's Austin AGAIN who gets his head to the ball and unfortunately it's not 3rd time lucky for the striker as he can only find the palms of the Charlton goalkeeper. Another real, real chance for the Town.

8.02pm - Chance for the visitors. Gordon Greer can't react quick enough to a bouncing ball and David Mooney steals in. He opts for the square ball to Deon Burton who drills across goal and narrowly wide.

8.12pm - Just settled down a bit this has. Both sides not really doing anything wrong but there is a distinct lack of goalmouth activity.

8.15pm - Another ball into the box and another header from a Town player that fails to find the back of the net. This time Jonathan Douglas is the guilty party: Some good work from McGovern in the midfield sets away Alan O'Brien down the left who floats an inviting cross to the back post that Douglas stretches for but can only divert wide.

8.17pm - Chance Chance Chance GLORIOUS CHANCE! A ball through to Danny Ward sees the defender slip and allow Ward a run through on goal. The striker drives forward and aims a left-footed shot across goal and oh so narrowly the wrong side of the post. Mass images of heads in hands around the County Ground. If there was ever a diamond chance in a game of this magnitude, that was it.

8.32pm - Into two minutes added on. Petering out I think is the technical term for what's happening to this half.

8.34pm - The whistle goes and it's been a pulsating half even if there has been a drought of goal action. Bring on the second half.

Half-Time: Swindon Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic

8.50pm - Back underway at SN1. The last 45 minutes of football at the County Ground for season 09/10.

8.53pm - Hearts in mouth time. Nicky Bailey tries a few step-overs and gets the better of Kevin Amankwaah. His curling right footed effort looks to have Lucas beaten from the moment it leaves his foot but thankfully that trusty County Ground woodwork comes to the rescue of the Town. Cue huge sighs.

8.56pm - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!! Charlie, Charlie Austin is the man of the moment!! A lovely move ends in Alan Sheehan curling a cross over for Austin to head into the corner. It's bedlam around the County Ground!

9.03pm - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!! After a period of REAL Charlton pressure, a quick breakaway sees Simon Ferry play in Danny Ward who drills a left-footed shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner. Superb finish from the Bolton loanee!

9.09pm - GOAL! Absolute nightmare for the Town; a goal out of NOTHING! A routine clearance from the Charlton goalkeeper goes all the way upfield and invitingly onto the head of Deon Burton. David Lucas comes a long way and doesn't reach it leaving the ex-Town striker to nod over him and into the unguarded net.

9.12pm - Time for a breather at last as a Charlton player is receiving treatment. What a cracking last 20 minutes at SN1. Swindon had done so well to withstand some serious Charlton pressure only for it all go to waste with a very sloppily conceded goal and from the customary ex-Swindon player. Time now for cool and collected hearts and minds. Think I managed to fuse two cliche's together then....never mind, I suppose that's what the drama of the play-offs does to you!!

9.16pm - Danny Ward does well to fashion himself a chance but can only drive the ball wide. Charlton have certainly woken up since their goal and the Town need to start talking to each other at the back. To say the Town back 5 collectively are nervous would be the understatement of the season. From flowing with confidence and producing incisive football, Danny Wilson's men have become gibbering wrecks at the back.

9.18pm SUBSTITUTION - Nicky Forster replaces David Mooney for Charlton. Unsurprisingly the former Brighton striker is met with a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

9.20pm - One of my colleagues in the press box has just told me that Charlton have already had TEN in this second half alone. Gives you an idea of the sort of pressure the home side have been under in this half.

9.21pm - SUBSTITUTION - Kevin Amankwaah makes way for Stephen Darby in a like-for-like swap at right back.

9.27pm - SUBSTITUTION - Alan O'Brien is replaced by Michael Timlin for the remaining 5 minutes or so.

9.33pm - SUBSTITUTION - It's goalscorer Charlie Austin who is replaced by Vincent Pericard.

9.35pm - As Pericard is involved immediately the fourth official flashes up 5...yes FIVE minutes of added time to the end of this game. To anyone involved with Swindon Town they will be a very very long five minutes indeed.

9.40pm - The final whistle blow and Town will take an advantage to Charlton on Monday night. Pericard could even have made it 3-1 but SOMEHOW managed to hit the post rather than the back of the net. I don't know about you but why can't they play the second leg now?!?

Full Time: Swindon Town 2-1 Charlton Athletic