Jonny Williams scored a late equaliser as Swindon Town were held to a 2-2 draw by Rochdale at The County Ground in the EFL Sky Bet League Two this afternoon.

It was very much a tale of two halves as the Reds were much the better team in the first-half, but they allowed Rochdale to grab a foothold in the game in the second before some late heroics made sure that the contest ended in a draw. 

Ben Gladwin's superb strike proved to be the difference at the break as Town dominated first-half proceedings, although George Broadbent tied things up just shy of the hour mark.

Rochdale were much better in the second-half and Liam Kelly put them ahead late on, but Jonny Williams came off the bench and played the role of hero as he netted a late equaliser to ensure that not all three points left Wiltshire. 

Town Head Coach Ben Garner rewarded Lewis Ward for his recent fine performances with a place in goal, while Harry McKirdy was also in the Starting XI as the forward looked to make it four goals in as many games.

Jojo Wollacott, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Jonny Williams and Alex Gilbert were all amongst the subs after returning from International Duty, although Anthony Grant was still travelling after representing Jamaica in the week.

The Reds started brightly as Harry McKirdy created some space for himself before feeding the ball to Ellis Iandolo who cut in and let fly from distance, but his shot was way off target.

A Town defender got his head on to a well-struck shot from Aaron Morley as the visitors began to enjoy some pressure, before Jack Payne led a rapid counter-attack and was unlucky as his effort was deflected into the arms of Joel Coleman.

It was then Tyreece Simpson's turn to try his luck as the striker sent a well-hit effort at Coleman, with the Reds playing some lovely stuff while attacking with a real menace.

Town were dominating and were launching wave after wave of attack on the Dale goal, with McKirdy seeing his shot flash past the far post after taking a heavy deflection, before the attacker flicked a header wide from a Payne free-kick.

Payne then slammed a shot just wide from a corner but Town would get their just rewards for their bright play just shy of the 40-minute mark.

McKirdy flicked a ball up to Gladwin inside the area and, on the half-volley and from a tight angle, the midfielder smashed a stunning strike into the far corner to give his team a richly-deserved lead.

Rochdale did try to respond as Jake Beesley met Morley's corner, but his header was straight at Lewis Ward who dealt with the threat with ease.

HALF-TIME: SWINDON TOWN 1-0 ROCHDALE

McKirdy continued to cause Rochdale plenty of headaches after the restart as he fired over, before Ward got down low to smother Conor Grant's shot.

However, for all of Town's pressure, parity was restored just shy of the hour mark thanks to George Broadbent, who sent a neat finish past Ward to draw Rochdale level.

The Reds looked to recover from that setback by quickly going back on the attack as Simpson did well to get away from his man before getting a shot away, but it was deflected into the arms of Coleman.

McKirdy then had a golden opportunity as he found the ball at his feet in the perfect position, but his shot was blocked by the onrushing Coleman.

Town then made their first change of the afternoon with less than 20 minutes remaining as Kaine Kesler-Hayden replaced Rob Hunt, before Jayden Mitchell-Lawson replaced Harry McKirdy in a bid to spruce up the attack.

However, it was Rochdale who landed the next blow of the afternoon as Town failed to clear their lines from a corner and they were punished as Liam Kelly beat Ward with a fine strike from the edge of the area.

Jonny Williams then replaced Akin Odimayo as the Reds looked for an equaliser, although Payne was unable to keep his shot down after a cross was diverted into his direction.

However, patience proved to be a virtue as an equaliser came in stoppage time and it was well, well worth the wait.

Gladwin whipped in a deep cross, Kesler-Hayden showed good awareness to nod it back across goal and Williams was there to produce a superb finish for his first Town goal.

It sent a packed County Ground into raptures and that proved to be the final real action of the game as both teams settled for a share of the spoils.

FINAL SCORE: SWINDON TOWN 2-2 ROCHDALE

TEAMS AND STATS

SWINDON TOWN - Ward; Odimayo (Jonny Williams 80), Iandolo, Conroy (C), Crichlow, Gladwin, Simpson, Payne, McKirdy (Jayden Mitchell-Lawson 74), Hunt (Kaine Kesler-Hayden 72). Reed.

SUBS NOT USED - Wollacott, Baudry, Gilbert, East.

SCORERS - Ben Gladwin (37), Jonny Williams (90).

BOOKED - Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

ROCHDALE - Coleman; O'Keefe, O'Connell (C), Morley, Beesley, Grant (Abraham Odoh 68), Dorsett, Keohane, Broadbent (Liam Kelly 68), Graham, Cashman (Aidan White 90).

SUBS NOT USED - Lynch, McNulty, Taylor, Newby.

SCORERS - George Broadbent (57), Liam Kelly (78).

BOOKED - Corey O'Keefe, Eoghan O'Connell.

Referee - Simon Mather

Attendance - 9,310 (144 Away Fans).