5:00pm Saturday 13th March 2010
By Anthony Marshall
CHARLIE Austin's second half strike handed injury-hit Town their first win in four attempts away at Brighton this afternoon.
Austin scored his 14th of the season in the 69th minute following a good lay-off from Jon-Paul McGovern, and it was a gritty, determined display in which Swindon defied the odds.
Brighton had plenty of first half chances as they dominated proceedings but were unable to convert them, and Town's cause was made even tougher when they lost David Lucas, Vincent Pericard and Danny Ward all to injuries by half-time.
But Danny Wilson's side held firm to record three vital points in their push for a play-off place.
Here are the ley moments from today's game:
One min: Brighton launch an early attack and work the ball out wide to Kazenga LuaLua, who skips past Stephen Darby and sees his low strike deflected wide for a corner.
Eight mins: A lovely move down the right involving Inigo Calderon and Elliott Bennett sees the latter whip in a low ball which Glenn Murray meets unmarked at the far post.
The front man somehow taps wide from a couple of yards, but the linesman's flag saves his blushes.
12 mins: David Lucas looks to have picked up a hamstring strain and is treated by physio Dick Mackey before substitute stopper Phil Smith comes on to replace him.
15 mins: Alan Sheehan's delivery from the left is scuffed back across goal by Brighton full-back Marcos Painter, but Danny Ward can only fire high and wide under pressure.
18 mins: A short corner is worked as far as Simon Ferry on the edge of the box, but his delivery is headed out by the Brighton defence.
It falls only as far as Ward, who connects on the volley from 25 yards, but puts his strike straight at Peter Brezovan.
22 mins: A long ball forward to Glenn Murray is chested into the path of Bennett, who in turn feeds Andrew Crofts.
Brighton's skipper takes the ball on and drives a low shot which narrowly goes the wrong side of Phil Smith's upright.
25 mins: Bennett's free-kick from the right flank is met by Murray at the far post, but the lone front man can only head well over.
27 mins: Best chance of the game so far. LuaLua strides across the pitch and feeds Bennett out wide.
The youngster's delivery is perfect and Murray's header beats Phil Smith, but thankfully for Town skipper Gordon Greer is on hand to clear off the line.
33 mins: Town are forced into a second substitution, with striker Vincent Pericard hobbling off to be replaced by Mark Marshall.
37 mins: Marshall controls well on the right, strides forward into space and unleashes a shot which is closer to hitting the corner flag rather than the back of the net.
41 mins: A superb lay-off from Murray gives Gary Dicker plenty of time and space to have a go from 25 yards. However, the Seagulls midfielder drills his effort wide.
46 mins: Town's three substitutions are now all used up, with Danny Ward replaced at half-time by Craig Easton. It looks like Swindon are lining up with a 4-5-1 formation in the second half.
49 mins: Dicker releases Bennett with an inch-perfect pass to disect the Swindon back line. The winger, however, can only lash his strike from a wide angle well over.
59 mins: A long ball over the top is misjudged by Adam El-Abd and Charlie Austin races clear. He shoots from 12 yards, but drags his shot disappointingly wide of the far post when he should have at least tested Brezovan.
65 mins: Town are starting to press forward and following a decent spell of pressure Sheehan's corner is met by Greer.
The skipper's header is firm and on its way to the corner of the net until a smart stop from Brezovan, who smothers the ball at the second attempt.
69 mins (GOAL 0-1 Austin): Marshall's cross from the left is challenged for by Ferry. The loose ball drops to McGovern inside the area, who lays it back to Austin, and the front man makes no mistake with a crisp, low finish.
79 mins: Jonathan Douglas is fouled 25 yards out, and Sheehan steps up to curl the resulting free-kick inches wide of the far post with Brezovan beaten.
90 mins: Town are doing everything they can to slow the game down - holding the ball in the corners and taking their time over every throw in.
It may not be pretty but Swindon are grinding this out.
90 mins: LuaLua picks up on the ball in the middle of the park and strides past the challenges of Craig Easton and Ferry.
He strikes low and it looks to be heading for the bottom corner, until the fingertips of Phil Smith get in the way. It's a superb, match-winning save.
BRIGHTON (4-5-1): Peter Brezovan; Inigo Calderon, Tommy Elphick, Adam El-Abd, Marcos Painter (Nicky Forster 75); Elliott Bennett, Andrew Crofts, Alan Navarro (Chris Holroyd 70), Gary Dicker, Kazenga LuaLua; Glenn Murray
Subs not used: Mitchell Walker, Gavin Hoyte, Jim McNulty, Gary Hart, Sebastien Carole
TOWN (4-4-2): David Lucas (Phil Smith 12); Stephen Darby, Scott Cuthbert, Gordon Greer, Alan Sheehan; Jon-Paul McGovern, Simon Ferry, Jonathan Douglas, Danny Ward (Craig Easton 46); Vincent Pericard (Mark Marshall 33), Charlie Austin
Subs not used: Kevin Amankwaah, Lecsinel Jean-Francois, Michael Timlin, Matt Ritchie
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