Swindon Town got off to the perfect start in 2018 after beating Barnet 2-1 at The Hive Stadium this afternoon.
Ellis Iandolo's brilliant free-kick gave the visitors a deserved lead on New Years Day, although that joy was short-lived with John Akinde quickly replying for the Bees.
The Reds did take a slender lead in at the break though thanks to Matt Preston's close-range effort, and his header proved to be the winner.
Town Boss Dave Flitcroft opted to keep faith with the same Starting XI and same formation that battled to a 1-0 victory against Notts County on Saturday.
There were a few changes to the bench, however, with Lawrence Vigouroux, James Brophy and John Goddard making way for Will Henry, Donal McDermott and Scott Twine.
After finishing 2017 with a victory, the Reds were looking to get the New Year off to a bang by securing a second successive win.
It was a bright start too with a Keshi Anderson cross just evading the head of Luke Norris inside the penalty area.
Mauro Vilhete saw his header easily collected by Reice Charles-Cook, before Town went up the other end and gave the visiting fans something to cheer.
Awarded a free-kick 35-yards out, Ellis Iandolo was expected to swing the ball into the box but, instead, he went for goal and succeeded as his effort looped over the head of Craig Ross and into the back of the net.
It could have got even better mere seconds later too as Kaiyne Woolery beat Ross to a ball before cutting it back into the danger zone, but the cross evaded everyone and the hosts were able to clear their lines.
And that missed opportunity came back to haunt Town as Barnet hit back just three minutes after going behind, John Akinde rising highest to power home a header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's cross.
It was a really end-to-end encounter and Town went close to quickly restoring their lead as Woolery slipped in Norris, but the striker's drive was palmed away by Ross.
There was then a notable drop in tempo as both sides looked to gain more control of the contest in the middle of the park.
Chances had all of a sudden dried up although there was a sight on goal for James Dunne, but the midfielder could only curl over the bar.
Anderson also had an opportunity to try his luck before the break, but the attacker was unable to keep his shot down as it flew over the bar.
However, there was still time for one more goal before half-time and it went the way of Town as Iandolo's free-kick wasn't cleared and Matt Preston was able to stab home from close-range.
Town were forced into making a change shortly after the restart with Kellan Gordon replacing the injured Amine Linganzi.
Barnet started the second-half the brighter of the two teams and they were able to carve out a couple of chances, with both falling at the feet of Jack Taylor.
The midfielder's first effort was smothered by Charles-Cook who got down well, before his next shot was way off target as he scooped well over from Akinde's cross.
Town eventually grew back into the game and they had a chance to stretch their lead just past the hour mark after Norris fed Anderson, but his strike was straight at Ross in the Barnet goal and the stopper denied the attacker once more moments later.
Barnet were trying everything they could to haul themselves level and they came close with Vilhete seeing his effort deflected over the bar.
Town then made a couple of changes as Paul Mullin and Ben Purkiss replaced Wooley and Knoyle respectively.
Time was ticking away and Town, whilst being solid at the back, still looked dangerous going forward and they were creating chances with Anderson once again warming the palms of Ross.
But that didn't matter as Town were able to see the rest of the game out with ease to secure another big three points.
TEAMS AND STATS:
SCORERS - Ellis Iandolo (17), John Akinde (20), Matt Preston (45).
BARNET (4-3-3) - Ross; Brindley, Santos, Nelson (C), Blackman (David Tutonda 24); Taylor, Fonguck (Simeon Akinola 86), Vilhete; Campbell-Ryce, Akinde, Coulthirst.
SUBS NOT USED - McKenzie-Lyle, Clough, Watson, Nicholls, Sweeney.
SWINDON TOWN (3-5-2) - Charles-Cook; Robertson, Lancashire (C), Preston; Knoyle (Ben Purkiss 80), Dunne, Linganzi (Kellan Gordon 45), Anderson, Iandolo; Woolery (Paul Mullin 71), Norris.
SUBS NOT USED - Henry, Taylor, McDermott, Twine.
BOOKINGS:
BARNET - Michael Nelson, David Tutonda, Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
SWINDON TOWN - Kellan Gordon.
Referee - Craig Hicks
Attendance - 2,031 (629 Away Fans).
