TWELVE months ago, almost to the day, Town's season spectacularly fell apart.

Dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Histon on the Saturday, before giving an utterly limp (and that's being kind) display down at Brighton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy just days later, Maurice Malpas was instantly handed his P45.

Chairman Andrew Fitton was later criticised for his six-week search for a new manager but, looking back, the wait was well worth it as Danny Wilson was unveiled on Boxing Day.

Although the 49-year-old's first few months were solid if unspectacular, he kept Town in League One and then set about reshaping things at the County Ground - with big name signings like Jonathan Douglas and David Lucas arriving.

Fitton told me before the start of the new season that Wilson had been given exactly the same objectives as his predecessor - a good cup run and to finish in or around the League One play-off places.

So far, so good, as the boss has succeeded where Malpas failed.

Town have been challenging in the top half of the table all season, and they negotiated the first hurdle with progression in the FA Cup on Saturday against non-league Woking.

Make no bones about it, it was far from a polished performance, but this was the sort of game they would have slipped up in last season.

So now attentions turn to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tonight, and arguably Swindon's best chance of reaching Wembley this season.

Even though promotion is clearly their number one aim, Norwich showed at the weekend against minnows Paulton Rovers that they won't take any competition lightly and will field their strongest possible team.

But with injuries and suspensions having decimated their squad, Town will feel like they have more than a fighting chance of a victory tonight and could find themselves a couple of rounds away from Wembley.

So, whatever the result against the Canaries, whatever the performance, Swindon's supporters should cast their minds back a year and realise just how good they have got it right now.