4:50pm Saturday 11th April 2009
By Anthony Marshall
A STUNNING start to the second half earned Town three crucial League One points with a 3-2 win at Brighton this afternoon.
Trailing 1-0 at the break following Adam Virgo's goal, Swindon hit back immediately through captain Gordon Greer.
And then strike duo Billy Paynter and Simon Cox got in on the act to edge Town further to safety and almost certainly condemn Brighton to relegation.
Gary Dicker volleyed home a late goal for the hosts to set up a tense few minutes of injury time, but Swindon held on.
Town's attacking threat after the break was a stark contrast to their toothless first half display, and will give manager Danny Wilson much optimism heading into another big game against relegation rivals Leyton Orient on Monday.
Here are the key moments from today's first half:
Two mins: Hal Robson-Kanu teases Gary Borrowdale on the right flank before whipping in a dangerous cross which finds its way through to the unmarked Simon Cox.
But, from around five yards out his header flies well over.
Three mins: Tommy Elphick gets to Dean Cox's corner just ahead of Swindon keeper Phil Smith, but powers his header off target.
15 mins: Town should be ahead. Gordon Greer rakes a long diagonal pass forward into the path of Billy Paynter, who breaks clear of the Brighton backline.
However, with only keeper Michel Kuipers to beat he opts for a near-post finish, firing into the side-netting.
22 mins: Brighton full-back Andy Whing picks up on a half-cleared corner, cuts inside and drills a left-footed shot goalwards, but fails to connect properly and Phil Smith watches it bobble harmlessly wide.
23 mins: Robson-Kanu's cross is clawed away from under his own crossbar by Kuipers, but straight into the path of Owain Tudur Jones, 10 yards out on the right.
The midfielder fires in an acrobatic half-volley but, from a tight angle, his effort fails to trouble Kuipers.
35 mins: Anthony McNamee forces Kuipers into a full-length stop with a low right-footed effort following some neat build-up play involving Paynter and Robson-Kanu.
38 mins (GOAL 1-0 Virgo): Cox's deep corner from the left is headed back across goal by Gary Dicker, and Adam Virgo, stood almost touching the far post, is unmarked and on hand to prod home.
47 mins (GOAL 1-1 Greer): Town make the perfect start to the second half.
Jamie Vincent's long free-kick into the box is headed high up in the air and when Paynter nods it goalwards, Swindon's captain is on hand to steer home from close range.
50 mins (GOAL 1-2 Paynter): The game has been turned on its head. Cox holds off the challenge of a defender and strides forward.
He unleashes a shot from 20 yards which Kuipers fails to deal with, and as the ball squirms loose Paynter reacts quickest to side-foot past the keeper.
53 mins: McNamee's corner to the far post is drilled back in by Tudur Jones and as the ball drops loose in the area, Greer can only blaze over when he should probably have hit the target.
57 mins: Elphick meets Cox's flag kick with a powerful header but directs it downwards and wide.
58 mins (GOAL 1-3 Cox): Things are getting better and better for Danny Wilson's side. As Swindon work possession to the left flank McNamee makes space for himself before delivering a superb cross.
And there is Cox, nipping in at the front post ahead of Kuipers, to turn home his 28th goal of the season.
67 minutes: Dean Cox connects with Whing's deep cross at the far post, but sends his volley wide of Phil Smith's upright.
80 mins: Brighton substitute Adam El-Abd steps inside and strides forward with the ball before unleashing a drive from 25 yards. But the midfielder's shot sums up the Seagulls' afternoon as he blazes high and wide.
81 mins: Town should have put the game firmly to bed. As Brighton give away possession cheaply, Paynter brings the ball forward before slipping it to Robson-Kanu seven yards out.
However, the winger's first time effort goes over with Kuipers beaten.
89 mins (GOAL 2-3 Dicker):
Brighton create a grandstand finish when they score an unlikely second - Gary Dicker turning home Gart Hart's cross from the right.
BRIGHTON (4-4-2): Michel Kuipers; Andy Whing, Tommy Elphick, Adam Virgo, Gary Borrowdale; Doug Loft (Adam El Abd 53), Gary Dicker, Dean Cox, Tommy Fraser (Gary Hart 53); Lloyd Owusu (Calvin Andrew 76), Craig Davies
Subs not used: John Sullivan, Kevin McLeod
TOWN (4-4-2): Phil Smith; Kevin Amankwaah, Jerel Ifil, Gordon Greer (c), Jamie Vincent; Hal Robson-Kanu (Lloyd Macklin 89), Michael Timlin, Owain Tudur Jones (Craig Easton 89), Anthony McNamee; Billy Paynter, Simon Cox
Subs not used: Peter Brezovan, Lescinel Jean-Francois, Jack Smith
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