Swindon Town

Jose Baxter's second-half header was enough to settle the contest in favour of the hosts. 

Mark Cooper rang the changes to the starting XI after the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win over Stevenage. Wes Foderingham, Nathan Thompson and Yaser Kasim were all restored to the line-up while there was also a start in midfield for Louis Thompson. Dany N’Guessan and Ryan Harley dropped to the substitutes’ bench.  

The first half was dominated by spells of possession for both sides. The home side’s best chance of the first forty-five ended with Foderingham pushing away a goal-bound drive. 

As the half wore on, Town grew in stature and confidence and began to create chances. Alex Pritchard fed Nicky Ajose on the left. The striker cut in and fizzed a shot goal-wards that George Long did well to parry. 

Town next pounced on a mistake at the back and, after a neat combination between Pritchard and Ajose again, Ryan Mason span away from his man on the edge of the box before forcing Long into another neat save.

In added time at the end of the half, Grant Hall controlled Pritchard’s corner with his back to goal. As the ball dropped, the centre-half launched himself into an overhead kick, looping the ball over the bar. 

With the second have just minutes old, Wes Foderingham was called into action to push away Jose Baxter’s shot before Jay McEveley was forced to hack clear off the line seconds later. 

After a period of pressure, the home side made the breakthrough with 67 minutes gone. A cross from the right picked out Jose Baxter who directed a looping header beyond Foderingham and into the corner. 

As time ticked closer the 90-minute mark, Town’s efforts to find an equaliser were reduced to shots from distance from both Luongo and Pritchard and despite a late rally, could not break the hosts down.