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Will Super Sammy Parkin stay at Swindon next season?
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Pre-season Swindon 0 Wolves 0
 Although they produced rich entertainment for the 2,900 people who attended, Swindon Town and premiership new-comers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, drew a blank tonight in their pre-season friendly at the County Ground.
Fielding eight new players in a game full of substitutions, Town put on a display lively in all departments and never looked second-best against their recently promoted opponents.
The only thing lacking was a goal to cap the performance, but new striker, Tommy Mooney, was still impressed with the ability and creative of play from his new teammates.
"I think we looked very good at times," the ex-Birmingham striker said after the game.
"This is only our first time out in a competitive game and I'm very encouraged by what I saw. After a few more games we will all be a lot sharper and ready for the start of the season.
"I know I can score goals in this team," he concluded. |
Pre-season Swindon 1 Man United 4
 In a repeat of the 1964 Youth Cup Final, Swindon Town were again humbled by a young Manchester United team, no doubt featuring a whole host of future stars.
Two up after twenty minutes following two clinically executed goals - the first the result of a well-worked move down the left flank resulting in a quick turn and shot by Eddie Johnson, and the second due to poor Swindon defending from an in-swinging corner letting an unmarked Bardsley nod home - Andy King's men were overrun by their premiership guests right from the onset.
Only when the champion's second XI made it three nil on 40 mins after a spectacular 30 yard strike from Picken left Griemink flapping in the unsummerly drizzle, did Ferguson's 'Fledglings' take their foot off the gas to let David Duke net in their own top corner in similiarly well-struck fashion.
Any thoughts that Town fans will have had for a unexpected recovery were then immediately dashed straight from the re-start, however, when Man Utd half-time substitute, Poole, latched onto an early through ball to round replacement keeper, Evans, and slot home with almost his first touch of the game.
Swindon, to their credit, made every effort for the remainder of the game to stage a comeback, but the Man Utd youngsters held firm - especially number five, Alan Tate, whose composed and assured performance in the centre of defence was keenly noted by the number of talent scouts in attendance at the game.
One bright note for Swindon was the return of Keith O'Halloran to first team action after nearly two years on the side-lines following complications arising from a broken leg sustained in September 2001 |
Swindon Town 2 Sheffield Wednesday 3
 Swindon were left to ponder on their defensive frailty during the first 25 minutes of their new season as they succumbed to title favourites, Sheffield Wednesday, here at the County Ground.
In a game overshadowed by the tragic death of ex-Town star, Jimmy Davis, who died in car crash in the early hours of Saturday morning, Swindon started like a team in shock and were almost immediately one-nil down to their Yorkshire opponents when Wednesday striker, Lloyd Owusu, bundled the ball into the net after only five minutes.
It was not the start that the bumper crowd of Town fans expected and after twenty minutes it got worse when Owusu again popped up in the Swindon box to fire a superb volley over Greimink to put the visitors two-up.
And when Chris Turner's men then caught a pressing Swindon side on the break five minutes later with a clinical six-pass move that resulted in Shefki Kuqi slotting home at the far post, it looked all the pre-season hype about a resurgent Swindon side was just that - hype.
But whether the ex-premiership side took their foot off the gas in the sweltering conditions or Town upped the tempo, the game soon became one-way traffic for Swindon with the Reds piling forward in numbers with a series of well-worked moves.
Soon rewarded with a Miglioranzi header making it 3-1 after some tenacious play by Robinson on the right wing, Swindon looked like a side that could still get something from the game and continued to push their opponents back with some stylish attacking play.
And just ten minutes after a half-time roasting from manager, Andy King, Town set-up a cracking final half-hour when Man-of-the-Match, Sammy Igoe, took advantage of some hesitation in the Sheffield defence to score with a quickly taken free-kick from just outside the box to make it 3-2.
Roared on by the 7,000 or so Swindon fans that had braved the sweltering conditions to cheer on their team (adding to the 3,500 Wednesday fans who travelled down the M1 to nearly pack-out the County Ground), the Robins then completely dominated the second-half with an assured performance that had the crowd clapping and singing in approval.
Unfortunately, to everyone's frustration Swindon just couldn't find the breakthrough that they so richly deserved and left the pitch pointless but heartened.
"It's been a very difficult day today," a subdued Andy King said after the game.
"The news about Jimmy [Davis] has hit everyone hard at this club. He was a wonderful boy and a wonderful player. The whole tragedy puts our result today in perspective.
"Whether it affected our play at the start of the game, I don't know, but we paid the penalty for the first twenty minutes, but responded superbly. Yes, we lost but that performance has given me heart. If we continue to play like we did in the second-half this team can achieve big things this season," King added.
Jimmy Davis, the Manchester United player who played 15 League and Cup games on-loan for Swindon at the beginning of last season, and who was on-loan at Watford when the tragedy occurred, was also praised by Sir Alex Ferguson, who said:
"He had a great spell at Swindon and he was one of our most promising players.
"Quick and brave, he caught a lot of attention while there and the Swindon experience was perfect for his development.
"He had a really good chance of making it," the Man Utd boss added |
Southend United 2 Swindon Town 3 Carling Cup 1st round
 Swindon twice came back from being behind against their third division opponents before Tommy Mooney's decisive late strike secured their place in the second round of the newly-named Carling Cup.
In a repeat of Saturday's defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon conceded early thanks to some sloppy defending in the Reds' back-four before Town's leading striker, 'Super Sammy' Parkin levelled matters on the half-hour.
But before Swindon could build on their growing dominance of the game, they fell behind again five minutes later when Boughton smashed the ball past Evans in the Town goal to restore the home side's advantage.
The Southend lead only lasted three minutes into the second-half, however, when Parkin again did the business from close-range to make in 2-2.
Both teams then gave their all in the hot and humid conditions to find the winner, but some resolute Swindon defending kept the pressing Shrimpers at bay before Mooney provided the knock-out blow with his first Town goal late-on.
Speaking after the game, Reds boss, Andy King, said:
"The boys played well here tonight and have bounced back after the disappointment of Saturday. It was a potential banana skin for us and we coped.
"It was particularly pleasing to see both Sam [Parkin] and Tommy [Mooney] on the score-sheet."
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Colchester United 0 Swindon Town 1
 Town's new summer signing, Tommy Mooney, can look back on his second night of good work in the last four days after his late strike secured all three points his teammates here at Layer Road.
Keen not to concede early on as they have done in their two opening fixtures, Swindon weathered the early storm from the home side before the Town midfield found their feet and slowly gained control of the game.
Miglioranzi in the Reds midfield was as influencial as ever as the ex-New Yorker exploited some poor marking in the Colchester defence to set-up the majority of Swindon's attacking moves. And when both Mooney and Parkin went close in the closing stages of the first-half it looked like it was only a matter of time before Swindon took the lead.
But it was to turn out to be a frustrating night for the Town team and travelling fans alike as goal attempt after attempt was either well-saved, blocked or hit the woodwork.
Colchester to their credit tried to make a game of it but a well marshalled Swindon defence soon stifled any attacking play that looked like threatening the Town goal.
And just when it looked the U's would secure an undeserved point, the lively Mooney latched onto to a Hewlett pass to volley superbly into the top corner of the Colchester net with only three minutes remaining on the clock.
Mobbed by his teammates, it was just reward for a excellent Mooney performance and one that gave the Town boss the opportunity the speak gushingly about his new striker.
"He was head and shoulders above everyone else out there tonight," Kind said.
"That performance is exactly why I chased him for so long and why we need him playing at this club.
"All I ask now from my players is consistency. They all should feel very proud about the way we won tonight, but there is no place for complacency," he added.
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Swindon Town 4 Notts County 0
 Spurred on by a cry of 'Come on you Town,' from Jimmy Davis' mother, Jenny Davis, who led an emotional tribute to her son just before today's game, Swindon convincing beat a poor Notts County side here at the County Ground with a sensational goal florish at the start of each half.
One-nil up after only seven minutes after Hewlett fired home his first ever goal in front of home supporters with a superbly struck volley from the edge of the box, Swindon turned the screw immediately against their tentative opponents to make it two-nil three minutes later when Town's on-form striker, Tommy Mooney, latched onto a poor back pass to round ex-Swindon favourite, Mildenhall, to slot home into an empty net.
It was a dream start thoroughly deserved by a Swindon side that brimmed with confidence from the onset. Notts County, in contrast, looked like a side on-the-slide.
Without a goal in 300 minutes of football and with a decidedly dodgy looking defence, it looked like the five goal drubbing they received on the same ground last year would be repeated.
But it took a minute into the second-half before Swindon were again rewarded for their domination, when Mooney linked up with his striking partner, Parkin, to give 'Super Sam' the opportunity to score his second of the season with a determined effort at the far post.
Three down and constantly on the back foot, Mildenhall must have wondered what he had done to deserve such humiliation. But embarrassed he was again just a minute later when Sammy Igoe put the icing on the cake by racing through from midfield to nutmeg the former Swindon player-of-the-year and make it four-nil on 48 minutes.
'We want number five,' shouted the hungry Swindon fans as the Robins continued to expose holes in the Notts County defence. But although chances came and went with regularity the urgency to score gradually dimimished.
No doubt with one eye on the Bank Holiday fixture at Bournemouth on Monday, Swindon took the hour mark as their cue to take the pace of the match down a notch. And when a tired looking Mooney was eventually replaced by Stephenson up-front, the crowd knew that four would be their lot.
Only the late sending off of Igoe for an attempted head-butt marred what was probably Swindon's most accomplished and professional performance for many a season. A point that manager, Andy King, was keen to make to reporters at the end of the game.
"We stamped our authority on the match from the start and produced a level of football that has pleased me greatly," the delighted Town boss said.
"That was a better performance that last year's win against the same side and we're showing the signs of becoming the winning team I know we are capable of becoming," he added.
Swindon move up to sixth place, three points behind the league leaders, Port Vale, on nine points |
Bournemouth 2 Swindon Town 2
 Twice ahead in a match that never really caught alight, Swindon will be both disappointed and relieved to take a share of the spoils here on the south coast.
Fresh from their four-nil drubbing of Notts County just 48 hours before, Swindon's confidence was sky high coming in to the game and when Tommy Mooney found the back of the net to put the Reds one-up after only twenty minutes it looked like business as usual for King's men.
But just when the travelling Town fans were celebrating their star striker's fourth goal in four games and hoping for more, Swindon switched-off for a second to let Maher nod home a free-kick past Greimink at the far post to make it one-all.
Much to Andy King's frustration, Swindon then struggled after conceding the goal with neither Miglioranzi or Igoe able to get a handle on a Bournemouth midfield noticeably growing in confidence.
Normally exponents of the long ball, the seasiders exploited space on both flanks to give the Swindon defence plenty to think about and plenty for their home supporters to cheer.
Bournemouth could not make their pocession pay, however, and ten minutes before half-time it was the their turn to get caught napping when on top when Swindon restored their lead with a nicely struck effort from Steve Robinson after being set-up by Miglioranzi.
2-1 at half-time, Andy King will have been hoping that his side could quickly score again and go on to wrap up the points and that's exactly what the Reds attempted with some excellent early pressure in the second-half.
Mooney and Parkin both gave the Bournemouth defenders plenty to think about with some good runs and neat touches to set up shots for Igoe and Hewlett to go close, but the all-important third goal proved elusive.
Critically, the game turned on that early burst when, for the second game running, Mooney started to show signs of fatigue on the hour and Swindon's attacking play quickly became less sharp as a result.
With the pressure off, Bournemouth reverted to type and started to pump in long ball after long ball into the Swindon box. Good chances then followed and it came as no surprise when the seasider's finally broke down the Swindon defence with another set-piece effort from Hayter.
Happy with a point, Swindon hung on to secure a total of four points from their bank holiday fixtures. Unbeaten in four games, they lie in seventh place in Div. 2.
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Swindon Town 2 Blackpool 2
 Town slipped to eighth in the table after Steve McMahon's Blackpool held them to a draw at the County Ground this afternoon.
Andy King's men will be disappointed to have taken just a point from the game after Sammy Parkin missed a second half penalty.
Town started brightly and took the lead after just seven minutes when goal machine Tommy Mooney headed home a cross from David Duke.
But then Town's defensive frailties showed again, and instead of consolidating their lead, they allowed Jonathan Douglas too much freedom and he fired home an equaliser from 15 yards. The lead had lasted just two minutes.
Things got worse on 23 minutes, when Mike Sheron laid the ball on to Scott Taylor, who beat Rhys Evans with a strike from the edge of the box.
It was now Town's turn to reply with a quick equaliser. And it was that man Mooney who obliged, meeting a Matt Heywood cross with his head to chalk up his sixth goal of the season.
Town were handed the chance to take all three points after 58 minutes, when they were awarded a penalty after a nudge on Tommy Mooney. Some might have expected Mooney to have taken the kick - a chance to complete his hat-trick - but he handed the ball to regular spot-kick taker Sam Parkin instead. Parkin chose to place it, rather than thump it, but keeper Lee Jones anticipated well and got across to his left to make a good save.
Town had let a golden opportunity go begging and never found a way through to claim the win which, on reflection, might have been more than they deserved.
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Brighton 2 Swindon Town 2
 Town took a point from their visit to Brighton this afternoon - recording their third successive 2-2 draw. But while it may be unfair to bemoan a draw away at one of the division's most-fancied teams, Town will look back on this match and think of what might have been.
Tommy Mooney and Sammy Parkin - ably assisted by impressive loanee James Milner - caused Brighton all sorts of problems from the kick-off.
Town played some good football and edged into the lead after 13 minutes. Milner played the ball through to Sam Parkin, who calmly picked his spot to put Town into a deserved lead.
But (following an all too familiar pattern), Town lost concentration and surrendered their lead straight from the kick-off. It seemed as if the whole team stood still as Gary Hart wandered through and struck the ball past Rhys Evans in the Swindon goal.
The goal boosted Brighton, who looked capable of going on to take control, but they still had to deal with the ever-constant threat posed by Mooney and Parkin.
The game remained deadlocked until the 66th minute, when a long throw by David Duke found 'Super' Sammy Parkin ten yards from goal, and he doesn't miss them from there!
Two minutes later, a Tommy Mooney volley rattled the Brighton cross bar. Had it gone in, then Town would certainly have gone on to claim all three points. But within three minutes, the game had swung back the other way yet again.
Stefani Miglioranzi tangled with Leon Knight, the referee awarded a dubious penalty, and Darius Henderson scored to make it 2-2.
Brighton now looked the most likely to snatch a win, but Town's defence stayed firm and both teams went home with a point each.
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Swindon Town 1 Wrexham 0
 Swindon Town moved up to sixth position in the Division Two table after a satisfying win against Wrexham at the County Ground this afternoon.
Anyone who saw the first half of England's match with Liechtenstein in midweek will have had one of those déjà vu moments. Town played the better football and looked the more dangerous side but never quite found the edge needed to break down a well-organised Wrexham defence.
And where England had Wayne Rooney, Town had their own young star in James Milner. He seemed to be at the heart of everything, threatening the Wrexham goal on numerous occasions, or drawing their attention away to allow Mooney, Parkin and Gurney the space for a string of half-chances.
It seemed only a matter of time before someone in a red shirt got his name on the scoresheet.
But ironically, it was Wrexham who actually came closest to scoring when Steve Thomas shot past Rhys Evans, but Matt Heywood was perfectly positioned to clear the ball off the line.
Unlike England, Town failed to get an early breakthrough in the second half. But Mooney, Parkin and Milner continued to exert the pressure. Mooney was particularly unlucky to see a shot strike the post and fly across the goal.
To their credit, Town never gave up, and with the improving defence looking solid, they never stopped pressing for a winner.
And it duly arrived with twelve minutes left on the clock. Skipper Andy Gurney was the hero, picking the ball up in his own half and setting off on a 40-yard run which ended with him curling a right-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Not surprisingly, the goal spurred Wrexham into action and Rhys Evans was called upon to make a couple of good saves as Town soaked up some intense pressure.
The final whistle brought an almost audible sigh of relief from the home fans. But the win was no more than Town deserved.
Following last week's third consecutive draw, Andy King commented that he wanted Town to emulate the Liverpool side of the 1970s - focused, hard-working, never giving up, and winning games 1-0 with a late goal.
And that's pretty much what they did. |
Grimsby 1 Swindon Town 2
A polished display of football described by Town manager, Andy King, as '....wonderful at times' secured a second-half comeback and three points for the Robins.
The win stretches their unbeaten run to eight games and moves them up to 4th place in Division 2.
But the game didn't go all Swindon's way. After Grimsby had been thrashed 8-1 at the weekend by Hartlepool, Swindon knew they would most probably face a barrage in the opening minutes and that's exactly what they got.
Twice in the first five minutes Grimsby went close to opening the scoring, and, with the home supporters urging them on, the young Mariners side were by far the sharper and more passionate of the two teams during the early stages.
On 23 minutes their early dominance was rewarded with a goal from their striker, Boulding who caught Evans in the Town goal out of position to casually round the England under-21 keeper and slot home.
But if the Grimsby fans thought it was to be a sign of things to come, they were in for a big surprise. The goal was just the wake up call Swindon needed because apart from a very brief period after the goal where the black and whites may have sneaked an important second, the strike signalled a reassurgence in the Robins display and the end of Grimsby as an attacking force.
Pressing home their physical advantage, Swindon totally took a grip on the game for the last fifteen minutes of the first period and had Mooney not missed a couple of golden opportunities just before half-time, the Reds would have been levelled matters before the break.
Rallied by King in the changing rooms at half-time, Swindon started the second-half exactly how they finished the first and soon had the home side on the rack.
Piling forward with well-worked moves, mostly orchestrated by Miglioranzi in midfield, the travelling Town fans knew a goal was in the offing and on 54 minutes it came - but not from the expected boot of Mooney or Parkin.
Once again, Captain marvel, Andy Gurney took on the mantle of goal scorer when he notched his second goal in successive games to cancel out Grimsby's opener. This time after a superb one-two with Mooney on the edge of the box split the Mariners defence to leave the 27-year-old enough time and space to slam an unstoppable shot past the hapless Davison in the Grimsby goal.
At one-all, Swindon knew the game was theirs for the taking and ten minutes later they secured it when Town's leading scorer, Tommy Mooney, turned scorer from provider when he fired home a tight angled free-kick from 18 yards to make it 2-1.
The veteran striker's eighth goal of the season was enough to set off scenes of 'Mooney Mania' amongst the travelling Town fans who delighted in their team's fightback.
Swindon continued to dominate the game after the goal and when a number of Grimsby supporters started heading for the exits with 15 minutes to go it was sure sign that the Robins had done enough.
The commanding performance means Swindon move up to fourth place in Division 2, only one point behind the league's unlikely frontrunners, Port Vale.
The victory also means the side have equalled their record unbeaten run of eight games set in 1997 - the year they were crowned Division 2 champions.
But as Andy King summed up after the game. "That was then and this is now. I don't care much for statistics and records. I'm thinking about the future and if we keep our belief then this side can achieve great things."
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Barnsley 1 Swindon Town 1
 Without playing well, Swindon maintained their position at the sharp end of Division 2 by securing a point here at Oakwell.
In a generally entertaining clash, Swindon spent the vast majority of the game on the backfoot by a bustling Barnsley side that dominated the game for long periods.
Only solid defending by Hewlett and Gurney, in particular - and a lot of luck - kept the ex-premiership side at bay and extended Town's unbeaten run to nine games.
The one memorable note for the Reds, however, came when Town striker, Sam Parkin, reminded everyone in the division of his undoubted ability when he superbly put Swindon ahead with a world-class turn and strike on the edge of the Barnsley box after twenty minutes.
It was the only piece of good play Swindon had managed in the whole of the first period and it flattered the Robins at half-time and the players and supporters knew it. Not even Andy King's arrival in the dugout from his viewing position in the stands to shout verbal instructions to his players could change the pattern of the game and it came as no surprise when the Barnsley battering machine opened up again with further onslaughts throughout the second-half.
Time and time again they piled forward, exposing the flanks and whipping in crosses for their forwards to latch onto. Except they didn't. A little deflection here, a palm-off there by Evans in the Town goal and brave defending all-round kept the Swindon lead intact and the Barnsley strikers shaking their heads in frustration.
Until the 75 minute that is. Just when Barnsley looked to be tiring and the guns about to fall quiet, Swindon let it slip when they failed to clear their lines and the Tykes' most inspirational player, Rory Fallon, forced the ball into the net after a fierce shot by fellow striker, Kevin Betsy crashed against the bar and bounced down into his path.
The Yorkshire side deserved the equaliser and in a spirited attempt to grab the winner they then subjected the Town supporters to fifteen minutes of purgatory and nail biting by heaping relentless pressure on the Swindon defence.
Thankfully, the winner never came and the Robins sneaked a point they ill-deserved, but need all the same to remain fourth, tied with their opponents on sixteen points. Both teams are three points behind leaders, Port Vale who won at Bristol City.
That news at least brought a cheer from the travelling Swindon fans, who now look forward to another journey up-north on Wednesday night to see the Reds take on the might of Leeds Utd in the Carling Cup on the 24 September.
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Leeds United 2 Swindon Town 2 Carling Cup
 Leeds won 4-3 on penalties after extra-time
Town scorers: Gurney 55, Parkin 74
Leeds scorers: Harte 77, Robinson 90
Swindon were denied a memorable victory at Elland Road last night by Leeds goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, who not only scored in the final second of the game to send the tie into extra-time, but then saved a spot-kick in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to send his side into the third round by the tighest of margins.
It was hardly what Swindon had deserved after their superb performance had humbled the premiership side for the majority of the game. But it was still a match Swindon should have wrapped up in normal time.
Playing with a composure and reassurance that belied their Division 2 status, and cheered on by 3,000 travelling Swindon fans, Town had the measure of their more illustrious opponents from the opening whistle.
Battling, yet intelligent play from Miglioranzi and Igoe in midfield immediately took control in the centre of the park with Leeds ex-England star, David Batty and World Cup winner, Roque Junior, both struggling to keep up with Town's imaginative playmakers.
Almost with ease, they exposed holes on the flanks to give Leeds left-back, Harte, in particular, plenty to think about during the opening period and to create a number of good opportunities for Parkin and Mooney stand-in, Stevenson, to pressurise the home defence. Even when the Yorkshire side did gain poccession and pose a threat, the Swindon defence were more than a match to snuff out any goal bound attempts.
Growing in confidence, it was no surprise then when Swindon took the lead on 44 minutes.
With Stevenson fouled on the edge of the Leeds box, the buzz amongst the Town supporters was for Gurney to unleash one of his 'Beckam-esque' specials - and that's exactly what he did.
With just a short run-up and a skillful blend of pace and positioning the 27 year-old fired the free-kick into the top left corner of Paul Robinson's net to give the England goalkeeper no chance and sent the Robins fans wild with appreciation.
One-nil at half-time, Andy King must have been elated with his players' performance, but still aware that any Leeds side led by his pal, Peter Reid, would come out fighting during the second-half.
Desperate to save face and to appease the restless home fans, Leeds, as expected, aggresively piled forward for the first ten minutes of the second period looking for the equaliser. First strikers, Alan Smith, then Olembe fired efforts at the Town goal to go close before Chapius missed probably their best opportunity with a weak shot on 51 mins.
Holding back the tide, Swindon's only mistake was for Griemink in the Town goal to crucially get booked for unsportsmanlike behavior on 53 minutes with Gurney similiarly yellow carded for dissent sixty seconds later.
Holding firm, with Howard on for Stevenson to add extra cover in midfield, Swindon maintained their lead and gradually started to catch an anxious Leeds on the break, with, once again, Miglioranzi's taking the lion's share of responsibility for their reassurance.
With fifteen minutes to go, the Brazilian born Italian's influence proved decisive when his determined play set-up a move that resulted in 'Super Sammy' Parkin 'dinking' the ball over an outstretched Paul Robinson in the Leeds goal to give Swindon a two goal lead.
It was dreamland for Swindon, and at two-nil it must have looked all over. Leeds looked like a side that didn't have the heart to force themselves back into the game and Town looked like a third might even be on the cards. But when Swindon let it slip only three minutes later to give the Harte the opportunity to fire home a lifeline, it set up a finale that no Swindon supporter will ever forget.
Desperate to level matters, Leeds rushed forward in search of a goal and totally dominated the remaining period of normal time. Forced into errors, Swindon's defending became disorganised and when Greimink fouled Smith right on the edge of the box it was a bizarre relief that the Town keeper was only dismissed for his second-bookable rather than the unsighted referee give a penalty.
Off came one of Swindon's most inspirational players, Sammy Igoe, to make way for Rhys Evans to take Greimnink's place and for Swindon to try and hang on.
Five minutes later their goal advantage was still intact and with only seconds to go for an unexpected victory, Swindon looked as if they had done enough. Leeds only had one chance left - a corner from the left-side - and their goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, had dashed up in a desperate attempt to make the extra man count.
The rest will be talked about by football fans across the country because, for the second time in a week, a player that should be saving shots not scoring them rose above everyone else to head home the equaliser.
It was a cruel blow and one that shocked the Swindon players, with a couple of them sinking to their knees in disappointment.
Even the chance of extra-time was no where near what Leeds deserved, and to show how close they came to going out, Swindon only had the chance to kick-off before the final whistle went to signal an extra 30 minutes.
Rousing his players, an equally shocked Andy King shouted instructions to his players while the physio staff tried their best to bring new life into tired legs. Leeds, in contrast, looked rejuvinated and like a side who knew that they now had the ascendency.
To Swindon's advantage, however, extra-time turned out to be a disappointing affair. With one chance near the end, Swindon almost sneaked it but both sides played like they had one eye on penalties and competed accordingly.
And so it came to the battle between the England goalkeeper elect, Robinson, versus Evans the Under 21 England regular, tipped for a bright International future.
But it was no contest. Even after Harte missed for Leeds with their second kick, Evans' atheletisism just couldn't bring him close enough to the ball to deny them again.
A tired looking Miglioranzi then missed for Swindon with their fourth kick, and when the usually reliable, Andy Gurney, failed to convert with Swindon's final penalty it was all over.
Leeds had escaped from a embarrassing giant-killing attempt in unbelievable fashion and Swindon had the disappointment of losing a lead they really should have held onto.
But that's why Swindon are in the second division and Leeds are in the Premiership. Judging on this game, however, that maybe not for much longer. |
Swindon Town 2 Peterborough 0
 Late strikes from 'Super' Sammy Parkin and on-loan youngster, James Milner, were enough to give Swindon a well-deserved - if not uninspired - victory here at the County Ground.
The win extends Town's unbeaten run to nine games and lifts them to second place in Division 2, just one point behind the league leaders, Port Vale.
Slow to get going after Wednesday night's outstanding performance against Leeds United in which Swindon outplayed their premiership opponents only to be denied in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, Andy King's players seemed lackustre in their endeavour to break down a resolute Peterborough defence, with only a couple of goal attempts from leading scorer, Tommy Mooney, the highlights of an otherwise forgetful first half.
The second period didn't start any better either, with both Miglioranzi and Igoe looking tired in midfield and unable to find the imaginative ball that would break the deadlock.
Peterborough, on the other hand, looked happy to accept a draw and changed their tactics mid-way through the half in a negative attempt to further frustrate the Swindon attack.
To their credit, Swindon responded by pushing forward in seek of the all-important first goal, with captain, Andy Gurney leading from the front and man-of-the-match, Jerel Ifil superb in both defence and attack.
But with the Stratton Bank Rolex clock ominously ticking down, it seemed that Swindon wouldn't find a way through. Every time they attacked, Barry Fry's side would pack their defence to thwart their efforts and increase the pressure from the home crowd for a goal.
On 84 minutes, however, Peterborough got their just desserts when a poor clearance gave a determined Gurney just enough time and space to cross the ball onto the head of Parkin, who duely obliged with an unstoppable header past Tyler in the Posh goal.
Celebrating in true Parkin style, the Swindon player was decended upon by his colleagues, full in the knowlege that this time they wouldn't let it slip in the dying minutes.
Unable to respond, the Peterborough players' heads dropped almost immediately after the goal and it came as no surprise when they conceded again six minutes later when Swindon's seventeen year-old newboy, James Milner, finally put Barry Fry's side out of their misery with a well struck shot in injury time.
Speaking after the game, Andy King, praised his players' performance:
"There was always a fear that the players wouldn't perform today, but we ground it out and deserved it.
"I'm very happy with our weeks work and so should everyone else be. I just hope we can raise ourselves again for Wednesday night's game against Luton," the Town boss added. |
Swindon Town 2 Luton Town 2
 A late goal from Brian Howard was just enough to grab a point for Swindon Town here at the County Ground. But is was the referee that grabbed all the headlines in a night or pure farce and controversy.
One-nil to the good after only seven minutes when on-loan youngster, James Milner - playing his last game for the Robins before returning to Leeds United - scored for the second successive game, Swindon looked like a side high in confidence and eager to continue their push towards the top of division 2.
But one minute into the second-half, the game changed completely when the increasingly inconsistent referee sent off Town's most influencial player, Stefan Miglioranzi, for his second bookable offence. A punishment that shocked and surprised both the Swindon players and the home crowd, and immediately upset the home side's rhythm.
Luton capitalised almost immediately and with Swindon's midfield disorganised, the Hatters started to dominate play in the centre of the park.
Even the dismissal of ex-Swindon star, Sol Davis, in an equally bizarre refereeing decision on 52 minutes wasn't enough to bring Swindon out of their daze. Pegged back, and without Miglioranzi to fill the gaps, the pressure finally told for Town when veteran defender, Adi Viveash lunged in to give away a penalty on 64 minutes.
Incredibly, Swindon's goalkeeper, Rhys Evans, made a world-class save to deny Luton from the spot only for the referee to judge that the England under-21 international had moved too early.
Despite furious protests from the Town players, the spot-kick was replayed and this time Gary McSheffrey made no mistake.
The drama and feeling of unjust further unsettled the Reds, and with their tails up, Luton scored for a second time almost straight away to lead 2-1.
Plenty of head-shaking then ensued before Andy King's shouts from the dug-out managed to get his players to concentrate on the job in hand.
Even with ten men and without their top scorer, 'Super' Sammy Parkin, up front to partner Tommy Mooney, the Robins showed the desire and determination needed to get back in the game. Igoe, in particular, played like he was in two places at one time, and on guts alone Swindon totally bossed the last twenty minutes.
And once again, they left it late but got the goal they deserved.
Awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Luton box on 89 minutes, Swindon's captain, Andy Gurney's fierce shot was only parried by the Luton keeper and Howard pounced to strike a sweet shot into the back of the net.
The goal kept Swindon's unbeaten league run going to ten games but without three points they slipped to fifth in the table, three points behind leaders, Port Vale.
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Bristol City 2 Swindon Town 1
 In a game that arouses the passion amongst the players and fans like no other fixture in the calendar, Swindon Town were beaten for the first time in ten games by a sensational second-half strike from Bristol City's Aaron Brown.
It was a defeat that crucially exposed Swindon's lack of strength-in-depth and, most importantly, Andy King's desperate need to bring in new players if the Town's superb start to the season is to continue.
Starting the match in the lofty position of 4th in the table, just three points behind the leaders, Port Vale, Swindon's players knew a good win could see them top the table come 4.45pm and their opening salvo gave fair warning of their intent.
Even without the injured Parkin up-front to partner Mooney, Swindon were immediately threatening and had Igoe and Mooney himself not missed good chances in the first ten minutes Swindon could have been two-up very early on.
Bristol by contrast seemed nervous of their M4 rivals and were disjointed in all areas of the pitch. Even with a good share of poccession City were poor going forward and, apart from one thumping header against the bar, never seriously troubled the town defence during the whole of the first period.
In fact, Bristol manager, Danny Wilson, would have been a relieved man that Tommy Mooney's nicely slotted goal on 35 minutes after a superb flick-on header from Grant Smith, was all that seperated the two sides.
But what ever he said to his players during the break, it worked - big time.
Coming out for the second-half the complexion of the game turned around 180 degrees. Gone was the assured Swindon performance that had given them a deserved lead and in its place was a scrappy side that look devoid of ideas.
Bristol took the game by the throat and laid siege on the Town goal. Exposing the flanks was made easy by a poor display from Swindon new-boy, Herring, and with crosses flying in from all angles it was only a matter of time before City found the equaliser.
That came as early as six minutes into the second-half when Peacock rose above everyone else to head pass a flapping Evans in the Swindon goal.
The 3,000 or so travelling Swindon fans that had witnessed the first 45 minutes must have wondered how their team could have possibly let it slip so quickly. From taunting their west country rivals so wickedly just ten minutes before when Swindon were ahead, they found themselves on the recieving end of a vocal barrage that must have been very hard to take.
With more holes opening up in midfield than you'll find in a string vest, the Swindon players couldn't give their supporters anything to sing about. Permanently on the rack they lost their shape completely and played totally unlike the team that has performed so cocksure of their ability all season.
Holding on until the seventy third minute by more luck than judgement, Swindon looked a tired team by the time a sweet strike from 20 yards from the mercurial Aaron Brown gave Bristol the lead and all three points.
As soon as they led, Swindon had no way back and the fans knew it with many of them leaving well before the final whistle.
The defeat relegates Swindon to seventh place, with Bristol adding insult to injury by moving above the Reds on goal difference.
Speaking after the game, a disappointed, Andy King said:
"They over-powered us today and played well.
"Milner and Ifel leaving the squad this week leaves us short and it showed. Both Mooney and Miglioranzi started this game injured because we don't have the players to replace them.
"Hopefully a good weeks rest and a bit of luck with the injuries will bring us back to winning ways," the Town boss added.
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Swindon Town 1 Stockport County 2
 Swindon Town's hopes of bouncing back from their derby defeat at the hands of Bristol City were dashed here today after they fell to a shock defeat to Stockport County.
The unfortunate loss means that Swindon have faltered in their early season challenge at the top of the table and now fall to tenth overall, a full seven points behind leaders Brighton-and-Hove Albion.
Leading at the break after a neatly struck volley by Tommy Mooney right on the stroke of half-time made up for his earlier penalty miss, the bumper County Ground crowd were looking for more of the same in the second period. To their dismay, it was Stockport who eventually looked like the side more likely to secure the points after Swindon failed to take the chances needed to break-down the side currently languishing in the bottom three of the division.
After equalising barely six minutes into the second-half, the visitors defended resolutely for the remainder of the game and, after soaking up the pressure, caught the Reds on the break with five minutes to go.
It was almost a carbon-copy of last season's corresponding fixture when Swindon similiarly dominated only to get caught late in the game to lose one-nil.
Frustrated and disappointed, Town boss, Andy King was sent to the stands after the winning goal following an altercation with the referee.
After calming down, he declared after the game:
"I'm very disappointed. Tommy [Mooney] was our best player out there but he didn't get the service he needs for the full ninety minutes.
"We're still missing a number of key players and it shows," the Town bossed added. |
Chesterfield 3 Swindon Town 0
 Swindon's run of disappointing defeats extended to four today when they gifted win-less Chesterfield their first victory of the season here at Saltergate.
Still without leading scorer, Parkin upfront to partner Tommy Mooney, the goals that were so plentiful at the start of the season have now well-and-truly dried up - and with them it would seem Swindon's confidence.
Two down as early as the twentieth minute after a Marvin Robinson brace of clean shooting left Rhys Evans no chance in the Town goal, Swindon never looked like a side likely to recover the deficit and a shadow of the team that only recently went unbeaten for ten games.
Even with Robinson back in the fray after recovering from injury, the poise and precision of early games has been lost. Without Miglioranzi in midfield, this was another plodding Swindon performance that lacked the imagination needed to turn quality pocession into quality chances.
Time after time, Mooney and new-signing, Burton, made the type of darting, defence splitting runs required for Town to get back into the game only to find the final all-important ball too far in front or behind them.
Not that Chesterfield were a cut-above, either. They just took the chances that came their way and when Jamie Cade made it a resounding three goal gap for the home side on 70 mins it capped a very satisfying day for their supporters.
Speaking after the game, an extremely disappointed Town manager, Andy King said:
"We were awful out there. Our worst performance by far this season.
"I offer no excuses for my players. They know the standards expected of them and they clearly didn't come close to matching them.
"They know they've got to work harder, and that's what I'll be telling them again first thing Monday morning," a fuming King added.
The defeat leaves Swindon lying in tenth place, seven points behind league leaders, Brighton. |
Tranmere Roves 1 Swindon Town 0
 In another agonising game for Swindon supporters, the Robins lost again in the last minute of the ninety when Tranmere grabbed an undeserved winner deep into injury time.
The unfortunate strike extends Swindon's recent run of consecutive defeats to five and relegates then down to 15th in Division 2.
Unrepentant, Swindon manager, Andy King praised his players for their effort and reaction to their dismal defeat at Chesterfield last Saturday.
"I can't complain about my team tonight," he said.
"Yes, we could have taken the chances to win the game because we deserved it, but their response to the Chesterfield disappointment has been superb. I can't fault them in that respect.
"It's the type of attitude that will see us turn around this bad run. I have every faith that when the injuries clear up we will be challenging again," King added.
On a freezing night in the Wirrall, Swindon were pegged back in the early stages by a Tranmere side that made all the running, with only some athletic goalkeeping from Rhys Evans stopping the home side from taking the lead in the first-half.
But with the influencial Junior Lewis back in the Town side playing in the gap in front of the defence, Swindon were a different side than the one that conceded three at the weekend.
Finding the measure for the host's forward play during the second period, Swindon regularly threatened the Rovers goal with Mooney testing the keeper twice - one a superb lobbed effort from 40 yards - and Gurney planting a header wide.
It a cruel twist of fate, however, it was the Merseysider's that broke the deadlock with almost the last kick of the game when substitute, Gary Jones found the back of the net after latching onto a sliced cross from Ian Hulme. |
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