MATT Taylor was just as satisfied with Swindon Town’s defensive display as their attacking output despite netting the winning goal in their 1-0 success at home to Mansfield Town in League Two on Saturday.

A bursting run up the flank from the experienced left-back paid off six minutes before half-time as Taylor arrived to meet Timi Elsnik’s lay-off and fire past Stags stopper Conrad Logan from the edge of the box to finish a flying Swindon counter-attack.

That was one of a number of chances carved out by the hosts at the Energy Check County Ground, while Mansfield saw few in the way of clear-cut opportunities themselves due to some stubborn Swindon defending.

Town’s battling resolve came despite manager David Flitcroft being forced into a reshuffle at the back prior to kick-off after captain Olly Lancashire failed a fitness test and Taylor was thrilled with how well the home side responded.

“It was a swift counter-attack, which was surprising seeing as I was involved in it,” said 36-year-old Taylor.

“I think the end result was that it was the winning goal and that was nice as we haven’t won too many games by that scoreline this season.

“We defended very well and in my opinion, thoroughly deserved the three points.

“Mansfield are a very strong team. It is a big result for us and that is what we have got to do from now until the end of the season if we want to be successful.

“I thought the centre-halves (Matt Preston and Rollin Menayese), considering they hadn’t played together before, performed extremely well.”

Taylor’s winning goal arrived after a Mansfield attack broke up midway inside the Town half, with Keshi Anderson pouncing on the ball before charging forward into Stags territory.

After shipping the ball to Elsnik, the Derby County loanee continued the move by picking out Taylor’s supporting run on the left and the former Portsmouth and West Ham United man did the rest with a crisp low strike.

“It wasn’t instinct, it was recognising the space,” said Taylor.

“That was the position in which I thought there would be a chance to get the ball and it was played nicely to me through Timi and it just opened up.

“The goalkeeper probably shouldn’t get beaten at his near post, to be quite frank, but it was nice to see it go in and it got us on the way to what is a vital three points.”