COME ON TOWN: The County Ground has been swamped with fans eager to grab their tickets for tomorrow's match. KEVIN SHOESMITH reports

HUNDREDS of early birds saw the sun rise over the County Ground yesterday as they flocked to grab the few remaining tickets for tomorrow's vital play-off tie between the Robins and the Seagulls.

Town are desperate to take a lead from the home leg of the fixture before the tense trip down to Brighton on Thursday.

Two-year-old Emily Gent was all smiles as her proud dad, Gary, 37, lifted her up on his shoulders so she could be handed her first-ever ticket.

Her mum Vanessa, 37, said the toddler is football-mad and is already showing signs of becoming an obsessed Town fan.

"Whenever she sees the football on the TV she runs up to the screen and shouts 'goal' and 'Go Swindon'.

"It's the same when she sees other children kicking a ball around outside."

Gary said town centre shopping trips are often chaotic.

"Emily recognises the Nationwide Building Society logo from the Town shirts and every time we walk past the branch she trots up to it and points shouting 'Swindon Town'. She loves the club."

The Trowbridge family, who all agreed that Swindon would stuff Brighton, had arrived at the ground shortly after 7am and were among the first in the queue.

Student, Martyn Hodd, of Boness Road, Wroughton, however, claimed first place.

The 20-year-old had walked the four miles to the ground after being duped by a pal into believing that fans had started queuing at 3am.

"I had a phone call telling me that they were all here so I rushed down only to find a few here," said Martyn, who managed a few hours sleep under a nearby tree.

At 7.30am his mum, Hazel, was celebrating her 51st birthday, had Happy Birthday sung down the phone backed by a 10-strong Town chorus.

"I think she appreciated the thought," said Martyn, who planned to nip into town to buy a present, after picking up his ticket."

Former season ticket holder Mandy Cheetham, 39, who rolled up at 8am, said she was more than prepared to sacrifice a few places in the queue for a comfortable night's sleep.

"You wouldn't have seen me here that early even though I was awake at 5am," laughed the mum-of-two from Watermead in Stratton.

"My 12-year-old son Mathew is a big Town fan and he has been nagging me for days to get him a ticket.

"My husband Martin, and I used to be season-ticket holders for 10 years but we had to give it up when the children came along."

Mandy chatted with next in line Sharon Gunning of Boundary Close, Stratton, who was also on a mission for the men in her life.

Sharon, 32, who has three children, wanted to treat partner Kevin Gleed, 43.

"Kevin couldn't get down here himself because of work so I got the short straw," she said.

"I have never been a massive football fan to be honest. I keep telling my family that it is only a game but they go mad."

Stuart Pike, Town's ticket manager, said as of last night 1,000 tickets still remain for the game but warned fans may disappointed if they leave it to the last minute.