BY THE end it did not matter how it came, just so long as it did.

It has taken 70 days, a new manager, goals from Raphael Branco and Nicky Ajose, but Swindon Town have their first win since September. Perhaps more surprisingly the first time home fans have left seeing their side take three points since the opening day of the season.

When the final whistle came at the end of five minutes of added time relief was the overriding emotion. New boss Martin Ling kept his reaction limited. This was not a glorious homecoming, but a struggling side finally getting over the line.

If Ling is to turn what has so far been a season of misfortune and negativity then this will be the pivotal result. You hope this is not a false dawn.

The first goal came from an unlikely source, but one that will provide encouragement to the fans. Branco and Ling both spoke after the final whistle of working on set-pieces and the former, Town’s top-scoring defender last term, looked especially elated to have the hard graft pay off.

Ajose’s winner was a demonstration of what a good finisher he can be when presented with the opportunity. The provider, Ben Gladwin, is capable of creating those openings when utilised properly.

This win will provide a team that thrives on confidence a much-needed drink in the fountain of belief. Town’s methods were not polished or anywhere near the levels that the players are individually capable of.

The first half in particular was a drab affair, the seeping fine rain killing any semblance of atmosphere or rhythm in the County Ground.

The second half trio of goals dressed up what barely improved as a contest. This was the victory of a side low on confidence, with a league position to reflect it, over visitors missing five players. It was never going to earn a headline slot on Football League Tonight.

For his first home in game in charge, Ling opted for three changes to the side who bowed out of the cup at Rochdale.

There were the promised two centre forwards, Ajose and Jonathan Obika, but more changes behind that as Town switched to 3-5-2. Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill came in at left wing-back, allowing Branco, Adam El-Abd and Jordan Turnbull to form a back three with Barry at right wing-back.

In midfield, Gladwin played at the tip of the triangle, with Anton Rodgers and Drissa Traore forming the base.

The home side were taking some time to get used to playing a back three again. Turnbull, arguably the defender with the most knowledge of the system, looked the shakiest. Too often he was too slow to get out in support of Ormonde-Ottewill playing outside him.

Scunthorpe had a couple of half-chances that came as a result of Town’s unfamiliarity with the formation. Both came to Gary McSheffrey, the first he could not control, and the second forced Lawrence Vigouroux to make a good save after Barry misjudged a header at the back post.

One moment of quality from Gladwin, which saw him drive at the heart of the Iron defence and felled on the edge of the box, allowed Rodgers to strike a free-kick inches wide. It was the closest either side went until the dying moments of the half.

Until the 45th minute Town lacked any cohesion and Scunthorpe failed to take advantage. The recipe resulted in bland fare.

However as the half ticked into added time, Swindon found some spice. Ormonde-Ottewill delivered a couple of good crosses from the left which produced some half-chances and resulted in a corner.

Scunthorpe cleared the set-piece and actually had a three-on-two breakaway, fortunately Barry scuppered it and then immediately got into the opposition box to send a header, from another good Ormonde-Ottewill cross, just wide.

The closing salvo was a good boost for the hosts going into the break.

Nothing in the opening 10 minutes of the second half suggested that ascendency would be turned into prolonged dominance, but then Town took the lead.

Gladwin caused problems with his delivery from set-pieces from similar positions on a number of occasions. In this instance it looked initially as if Jonathan Obika would take advantage, as Joe Anyon made a great one-handed save to deny him.

However Branco is not a fish out of water in the opposition box. He came through the scrum to turn the rebound home and ran off for a typically passionate celebration.

Within five minutes Town had made it two. Rodgers found Gladwin in space after intercepting Niall Canavan’s header, once more Gladwin drove at the back pedalling Scunthorpe defence and picked the right time to release Ajose.

It has gone unnoticed in Town’s poor run, but Ajose has six goals in 14 appearances since rejoining Town. Four of those have come in the last five and his clinical finish was of a man in-form. The striker patiently waited for Anyon to commit and cleverly placed the ball passed him at the near post. The County Ground started to believe.

A more confident side would consider that game over, but with Swindon still struggling for control they were never in full command despite their two-goal advantage.

The introduction of the experienced Darius Henderson gave the Iron more presence up top and a concerted spell of pressure saw them get an avenue back into the contest. Clarke heading home a McSheffrey corner to half the deficit.

Wes Thomas came on as Town looked to reassert control, despite his recent return from injury the Birmingham loanee looked sharp and well over the hamstring trouble that has kept him out of the side.

Despite his leggy impact, Scunthorpe continued to come forward and with under five minutes left on the clock came within a couple of centimetres of equalising. McSheffrey whipped a free-kick against the post which seemed to take Vigouroux by surprise as he dived late.

Town still had to survive five minutes of added time and although the visitors kept on coming no opportunity for an equaliser was forthcoming. The collective cheer-cum-sigh of relief at the final whistle was palpable.

This level of performance will not beat many teams in League One, but Ling knows that. He admitted as much afterwards.

What it will do is provide a platform to build confidence from. The Town boss and his recently rearranged staff now have another week, and the return of some key players, to improve once more for the trip to Fleetwood.

With relief provided now it is time to restore pride.