DANNY Wilson hit back at Town's FA Cup critics, insisting it was never going to be a Woking walkover at the County Ground on Saturday.

Billy Paynter's first half header was enough to seal Swindon's progression to the second round of the competition, where they will travel to Wrexham later this month.

And while the boss acknowledged his side were far from at their best against their Blue Square South opponents, he wouldn't accept some of the moaning which resonated from the stands towards the end of the clash.

“I don't think they were grumblings, it was more likely anxiety from their point of view,” he said of Town's fans.

“When you get a draw like we had today people just think it's going to be a walkover.

“But that's people who don't play in it, who just watch from the sidelines and who possibly don't understand just how tough these teams can make it for us.

“And Woking did that for us, no doubt. They are a full-time team and aren't just a pub side who train once a week.

“These boys are as fit as we are, they were a credit to themselves and made it very difficult for us.

“It was never going to be easy for us. I don't think it was a cup final for them coming to Swindon but it was a big, big game for them and they had nothing to lose.

“These are tough games and you can see that from some of the shocks that happened elsewhere around the country. One mistake from our back four could have cost us, but thankfully they were very solid.”

Wilson was also full of praise for stand-in keeper Phil Smith, who made only his third appearance of the season after number one David Lucas was struck down with flu.

“David was taken ill last night (Friday) and has got flu symptoms and a bit of diarrhoea,” explained Wilson.

“We thought it was best to keep him away and then have a look at the situation when he comes back in on Monday.

“Phil has been brilliant in training. He has been disappointed not to be playing but he's always been ready for when his chance came.

“He looked very confident, very solid and very reliable.”