Swindon Town pulled off a stunning result after beating Forest Green Rovers 2-1 in the EFL Sky Bet League Two at The County Ground on Tuesday night.

Louie Barry gave the Reds a richly-deserved early lead and Jack Payne doubled the advantage before the break with the Reds in cruise control.

Ellis Iandolo's sending-off early in the second-half did prove to be a huge hurdle, but one that Town superbly overcame despite Josh March pulling one back for the visitors. 

Town Head Coach Ben Garner opted to keep faith with the same Starting XI that beat Hartlepool United 3-0 at the weekend, while Jojo Wollacott recovered from injury to take his place amongst subs.

Needing a win to keep their Playoff hopes alive, the Reds got off to a fast start as they looked to take an early lead in what was a massive game.

Forest Green also had their moments though as Jack Aitchison saw a dangerous shot inside the area blocked, before Jordan Moore-Taylor planted a header against the bar after rising highest to meet a corner.

Town were looking dangerous every time they poured forward and they were getting chances with Louis Reed going close with a free-kick from 25-yards out.

And, with 15 minutes played, the Reds took a deserved lead as Jack Payne and Harry McKirdy combined down the flank, with the latter driving in a superb ball to allow Louie Barry to smash home the opening goal into an unguarded net.

Rovers did respond as Regan Hendry dragged a shot wide, Baily Cargill let rip from range and Lewis Ward did well to beat it away, and then Ebou Adams fired over.

However, Town were in control and they doubled their lead before half-time thanks to Payne, who drove into space before beating Luke McGee with a fine finish from distance.

HALF-TIME: SWINDON TOWN 2-0 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

It was more of the same in the second-half as Mathieu Baudry nodded Mandela Egbo's free-kick back across goal and Louie Barry sent a header inches wide of the post.

However, their momentum was halted somewhat after Ellis Iandolo was sent-off after picking up a second yellow-card, with the visitors having the chance to get back into the game.

Akin Odimayo then replaced Barry as Town looked to protect their lead, but Forest Green did pull one back thanks to Josh March who pounced on a rebound after Lewis Ward had saved the initial shot from Adams. 

Jonny Williams then made way for Ben Gladwin and Jake O'Brien replaced the injured Egbo, with those changes enough to help the Reds secure a huge, huge three points after a gutsy second-half display.

FULL-TIME: SWINDON TOWN 2-1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

TEAMS AND STATS

SWINDON TOWN STARTING XI - Ward; Iandolo, Conroy (C), Baudry, Davison, Payne, McKirdy, Egbo (Jake O'Brien 79), Barry (Akin Odimayo 57), Williams (Ben Gladwin 77), Reed.

SUBS NOT USED - Wollacott, Mitchell-Lawson, Aguiar, Parsons.

SCORERS - Louie Barry (15), Jack Payne (40).

BOOKED - Ellis Iandolo, Jonny Williams, Harry McKirdy, Jack Payne.

SENT-OFF - Ellis Iandolo.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS STARTING XI - McGee; Wilson, Cargill (Jake Young 77), Stevenson (Kasey McAteer 67), Adams, Aitchison, Cadden, Matt (C) (Josh March 45), Moore-Taylor, Hendry, Godwin-Malife.

SUBS NOT USED - Thomas, Bernard, Sweeney, Diallo.

SCORERS - Josh March (69).

BOOKED - Udoka Godwin-Malife, Ebou Adams, Josh March, Jake Young, 

REFEREE - James Oldham.

Attendance - 11,150 (692 Away Fans).