Swindon Win Promotion To League One

Despite losing 3-1 to Gillingham on Saturday, Swindon Town secured promotion back to League One at the first time of asking after other results went their way.

Town boss Paolo Di Canio kept his promise and made several changes to the team that lost at Aldershot on Tuesday including dropping Wes Foderingham and bringing back in Phil Smith who had not played for months.

Swindon Town got off to a great start and looked to be the team most likely to get something from the game.

The lack of games for Phil Smith would come to light on 26 minutes when Smith was caught off his line and Danny Kedwell headed the ball over a stranded Smith to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

The goal seemed to knock the wind out of Town's sails. Gillingham appeared to grow in confidence after the goal whilst Town struggled to get back in the game.

Alan Connell would be substituted before half time which brought a mixed reaction from the 1,400 Swindon fans with some idiots chanting 'you don't know what your doing' and booing the move. Ronan Murray would come on for Connell and do nothing for the remainder of the match.

Shortly after half time Chris Whelpdale would once again chip the ball over Phil Smith from distance giving the home team a 2-0 advantage leaving Town fans wondering if they had blown the league 2 title.

On 81 minutes Town finally got a break through and Alan McCormack slammed the ball past Paulo Gazzaniga to give the visitors a way back into the game.

Gillingham would confirm their win after being awarded a penalty after Jonathan Smith brought down former Town midfielder Curtis Weston in the area.

Whelpdale stepped up and confidently slotted home to give the home team a well deserved win.

Despite the loss, due to results going Town's way Swindon Town secured promotion. It was a weird atmosphere with Town's players not knowing weather to celebrate given the fact they had just lost 3-1 in a very poor match.

Town can now secure the League Two title at home to Port Vale next weekend.

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