Town clinched a massive and crucial three points in the Sky Bet League One this afternoon after netting a late goal to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory away at Bolton Wanderers.
It was the home side who had the better of the chances in the first-half as Zach Clough twice went close, before David Wheater’s superb strike finally opened the scoring shortly after the break.
However, the Reds refused to roll over and they got back into the contest courtesy of Ben Gladwin’s fierce drive in what was his first game for the club since returning on loan from QPR earlier in the week.
And it only got better for the visitors in the dying minutes as Yaser Kasim netted a dramatic late winner to make it an away day to remember for everyone connected with Swindon.
Town plumped for five changes and handed starts to their four new recruits at the Macron Stadium.
Charlie Colkett, Fankaty Dabo and Islam Feruz all made their bows for the Robins, while Ben Gladwin was awarded his third debut for the Reds.
Yaser Kasim also came into the fray and was tasked with shielding the defence in a holding role, while John Goddard took his place at the tip of a diamond midfield with Gladwin and Colkett sitting in just behind.
Dabo and Conor Thomas lined-up at left and right-back respectively while Feruz partnered Luke Norris up top with Jon Obika missing from action.
It was the hosts who flew out of the traps quickest as Zach Clough forced Lawrence Vigouroux into a smart stop just two minutes into the contest.
The stopper came out on top again against Clough moments later as he held onto the striker’s shot from distance, before Ben Gladwin saw his effort charged down by a defender.
Bolton were having plenty of the ball, particularly in the final-third, but were unable to break down a stubborn Town defence.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though as the Reds won a couple of corners, although they were unable to make them count.
Clough tried his luck on a third occasion to give his side the lead but he again failed to get the better of Vigouroux, his free-kick being punched clear by the Reds’ keeper.
Chances were few and far between for the visitors although Islam Feruz could have marked his debut in style after being picked out inside the area by Luke Norris, but the striker was closed down quickly and his deflected shot fizzed into the arms of Ben Alnwick as a cagey first-half came to a close.
However, it didn’t take long for the first goal of the game to arrive after the break and it went the way of the Trotters with David Wheater smashing home a stunning volley from Jay Spearing’s corner.
That came after Vigouroux had produced more heroics to deny both Gary Madine and Clough in quick succession.
It was nearly 2-0 moments later but the superb Vigouroux sprang into action to tip James Henry’s diving header on to the post, before Madine leathered over from distance.
Jermaine Hylton then replaced Feruz as the Reds looked to inject some fresh legs into the attack.
And it paid off instantly as they hauled themselves level just past the hour mark courtesy of a returning face.
Charlie Colkett found Norris who in turn picked out Ben Gladwin and the midfielder found his spot perfectly before smashing home from the edge of the area.
It could have been even better for Town minutes later but Yaser Kasim ballooned over from close-range before Henry rattled the post as the game exploded into life.
Both sides were exchanging blow after blow in search of a winner as Colkett saw his close-range volley blocked by Mark Beevers before Henry saw his strike flash past the post at the other end.
And that missed opportunity proved costly for the hosts after Town secured all three points in dramatic style with just one minute of normal time remaining.
A swift counter-attacking move involving a flurry of players ended in Yaser Kasim bursting into the box before smashing home a superb volley to send the away end in to ecstasy.
Norris nearly added the gloss after seeing his drive turned around the post by Alnwick, but that didn’t matter as Town did enough to secure a huge victory.
TEAMS AND STATS:
SCORERS - David Wheater (48), Ben Gladwin (64), Yaser Kasim (89).
BOLTON WANDERERS - Alnwick; Wilson (Jamie Proctor 90), Wheater, Beevers, Taylor; Spearing (C), Thorpe (Max Clayton 76), Henry, Vela; Clough, Madine.
Subs Not Used - Turner, Moxey, Taylor, Osede, Trotter.
TOWN - Vigouroux; Thomas, Rossi-Branco (C), Jones, Dabo; Kasim, Gladwin, Colkett (Sean Murray 90), Goddard; Norris, Feruz (Jermaine Hylton 60).
Subs Not Used - Henry Rodgers, Smith, Stewart, Delfouneso.
Referee - Mark Heywood
BOOKINGS:
BOLTON WANDERERS - David Wheater, Mark Beevers.
TOWN - Yaser Kasim, Raphael Rossi-Branco.
ATTENDANCE -13,955 (556 Away Fans).
