ELEVEN years ago today, Town extended their unbeaten League run to seven games with a comfortable win over Rushden and Diamonds.

Their last defeat had come in the reverse fixture at Nene Park on Boxing Day when they were reduced to ten men after half an hour.

Swindon sailed into a two-goal lead over Brian Talbot’s side in just 17 minutes, courtesy of Tommy Mooney’s 15th goal of the season and a penalty from skipper Andy Gurney.

The visitors finished the first half strongly and continued in that vein immediately after the break, when they quickly halved the deficit. But two goals in the last 15 minutes settled the issue in favour of Andy King’s men.

A through ball from David Duke in the ninth minute should have been cut out by Leo Roget but Mooney nipped in, charged down the left and chipped the ball over the advancing Jamie Ashdown.

Gurney’s spot kick - slotted wide of the keeper’s left hand - came following a Sammy Igoe corner, his cross being handled by Andy Burgess.

Rushden replied eight minutes into the second period. Rodney Jack pulled the ball back from almost on the line, wide on right and the unfortunate Alan Reeves sent the ball past Rhys Evans on the near post.

Town restored their two-goal advantage in the 76th minute, when a long throw from Andy Nicholas was chested down by Mooney under pressure. Duke fired home low with his left foot.

But almost immediately a sweeping move from the visitors resulted in Burgess getting free on the right. His cross was flicked on by Paul Hall and Jack scored with a downward header at the back post - his third goal in his last five appearances against Town.

The points were wrapped up in added time. A long ball forward bounced on the edge of the area, where Ashdown beat Sam Parkin to the touch. But the keeper’s clearance went straight to Matt Hewlett, whose first time effort was headed off the line by Roget. However, his header spiralled upwards with substitute Rory Fallon closing in on the target. As Barry Hunter tried to block his path, the ball went over the line with the home centre back being credited with the final touch.

After his red card on Boxing Day, it was a far happier ending for the New Zealander.