JERMAINE Hylton raised the mood of the Swindon Town faithful as he closed the book on an awful week for Mark Cooper’s promotion chasers, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Peterborough.

It was a fairytale moment for the youngster, who the club snapped up from non-league Redditch United in January. Having been summoned from the bench with the game at 0-0, Hylton was presented with the ball inside the box just moments later and manoeuvred some space before scuffing his shot past Posh keeper Ben Alnwick.

It was provided a much-needed win for Town as MK Dons and Sheffield United both drew. It was a win that virtually seals Swindon’s spot in the play-offs, it will be certain if they beat Rochdale on Tuesday night.

It was a game that could have had far more goals, with chances at either end, but for Town boss Cooper he will be grateful just to see his side get one after going the last two goalless.

With a raft of absentees Cooper finally moved Sam Ricketts into his preferred position in central defence. Anton Rodgers also returned to the first XI, marking his first start since he scored in 3-2 defeat to Rochdale before Christmas.

Up top Jonathan Obika also got a start alongside Andy Williams, the pair have not been partnered since December 28 in the 1-0 win over Port Vale at the County Ground.

Recovering from his hip injury Harry Toffolo also returned to left wing-back.

Town started brightly and were being afforded a lot of space by the visitors who had clearly come to play. Williams exploited it, having an early shot from distance in plenty of space that he dragged wide.

That was probably the best action of the opening period that also saw Jordan Turnbull pick up the his tenth booking after being harshly adjudged to have a mistimed a sliding tackle, meaning the defender misses his first minutes of the season at Rochdale.

Obika was looking lively and it was he who won Town’s best opportunity to take the lead. Rolling Peterborough’s Michael Smith the Town striker was hauled down and referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot.

Williams missed a spot-kick against Crawley and afterwards Cooper asked for his players to start powering their kicks. Williams obliged, but only to see his effort smack off the cross bar and cleared.

Despite that set-back, Town continued to push for an opener. Ben Gladwin, continuing his good form from Tuesday night, was marauding forward and had a couple of decent effort from distance.

Wes Foderingham was called into action once, saving well from Jack Payne’s fierce drive. It was a comfortable enough stop, but the keeper seemed to get his knee caught in the turf and had to be treated.

After the break Foderingham was called to keep parity from the best chance for either side in open play. Conor Washington cut back for Marcus Maddison who poked an effort from close range straight at the Swindon stopper with the goal this mercy.

Next to waste a good opportunity was Williams. A Byrne cross somehow came all the way across the six yard box taking the striker by surprise and bobbled off his knee when well-placed.

Cooper rolled the dice and withdrew Rdogers for Swift, with the idea of adding more invention n midfield. He also swapped Williams for Jermaine Hylton to partner Obika.

Shortly after in the pair linked up to break the deadlock and provide a wonderful moment for the player Town plucked from non-league in January. Obika laying the ball off for Hylton to shoot, it was not the best connection but did enough to beat Alnwick and send the young striker wheeling away in delight.