RETRO ROBINS: Recalling a rut-ending home win

By then Jimmy Quinn’s charges were nine points adrift of Port Vale - the last side they had beaten on 25 October - and a mammoth 13 points from safety.

Central defender Adam Willis had been absent for most of that run but, with the injury prone Gareth Davies again out, took his place alongside Alan Reeves.

Swindon got off to the start they would have wanted when, in the 11th minute, Lee Collins smashed the ball home from the edge of the area following a cross by Andy Williams (no not that one).

And within just two minutes there was an opportunity to add to that lead when a good run and cross from Steve Cowe was a little too far in front of loanee Wayne Gray, who was making his home debut.

The visitors had two chances to cancel out Swindon’s slender advantage but Clyde Wijnhard was too high with a lob and then Craig Armstrong tried his luck from 30 yards, Frank Talia dealing with it.

It was then the turn of Terriers’ keeper Nico Vaesen to be called into action moments before the break when Cowe broke through.

Huddersfield were reduced to ten men midway through the second period when Dean Gorre talked himself into receiving two cautions for one foul.

Five minutes later, Scott Leitch set up another chance for Gray to open his account, but the Wimbledon striker fluffed his lines.

Seven goal Chris Hay went just wide on 84 minutes but Town’s leading scorer finally put the seal on the three points with the end of normal time rapidly approaching.

Gray guided the ball through to the Scottish striker who was bundled over by Steve Jenkins - later to see service at the County Ground. Jenkins trudged towards the tunnel for a slightly earlier bath while Hay beat Vaesen from the spot.

Two of the next three games resulted in wins - both away - but there was never any realistic chance of avoiding the drop and the 13 point gap between Swindon and the fourth from bottom club had not changed come the final day of the season.