SWINDON Town head coach Luke Williams has heaped praise on Conor Thomas after the midfielder’s match-winning heroics against Millwall on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made his first start in more than two months against the Lions and responded with his maiden goal for the club deep into stoppage time to claim three points that galvanise Town’s fight to beat the drop in League One.

It has been a frustrating debut season at the County Ground for Thomas, who signed on a free transfer from Coventry City last summer, as many of his appearances have been out of position as emergency injury cover.

Williams has had reason to question some of his players’ attitude in recent weeks, however, Thomas’ commitment to the cause has never been in doubt.

“Every Swindon Town supporter should be aware that they should be very proud of Conor,” said Williams.

“It’s been a difficult season for Conor but every single day he is immaculate.

“He gives everything in training, he is bright, he listens to every single thing, he’ll know everybody’s job, even if he is not starting the game, he is in early and he looks after himself fantastically well. He so deserves that goal.

“Especially now at this moment, when many people are starting to show behaviour under the pressure, which is completely understandable and normal, Conor has been so consistent in his work day to day and I felt that he was somebody that was ready for this fight.

“I knew this game could be very, very difficult, and I felt that Conor would be able to stand up to anything that was thrown at him.”

Thomas was only handed a starting role against the Lions at the last minute after Ben Gladwin pulled out in the warm-up with a knee injury.

However, he rose to the challenge in perfect fashion and Williams is only too glad to now have a selection headache on his hands.

“He probably wouldn’t have started the game but he has taken an opportunity with both hands,” said Williams.

“That’s exactly what you want from all of your players, for them to be ready and for them to respect the fact that it is a squad game and when an opportunity presents itself, you want them to take it.

“If they don’t take the opportunity, you want them at least to have been ready and given everything.

“Sometimes we have the situation where players go in and say: ‘I haven’t played for a while so I wasn’t ready, I haven’t been training properly because I haven’t been playing’.

“That is the wrong attitude to have. Conor really is the complete opposite of that and I am so pleased for him.”