AFTER two encouraging wins over relegation rivals Coventry City and Gillingham in recent weeks, Luke Williams’ side fell back into old habits last weekend – namely, the habit of letting down Town supporters.

Yet despite the setback against Chesterfield last Saturday, I refuse to believe that’s the end of Swindon’s chances of survival this season.

Town are three points from safety, have 10 more games to play, and visit a fellow side in danger of the drop in Port Vale this weekend.

The absence of striker Nicky Ajose and midfielder Charlie Colkett was painfully obvious last Saturday as Swindon lacked any attacking flair from midfield or pace up front in a tired display.

It’s vital these two players are available for our visit to Vale Park, but along with Ajose and Colkett, we need defender Fankaty Dabo back in the starting XI.

After enjoying a great start to his time at Swindon following his loan move from Chelsea in January, Dabo put in a terrible first-half performance away at Northampton Town on February 14 and hasn’t been seen since.

Subsequently, he’s suffered a slight injury, but if he’s fit, the 21-year-old full-back has to take Bradley Barry’s place in the team.

Barry’s a decent player but has endured a nightmare campaign, with niggling injuries not allowing him to build on his first successful season at the club.

To put it bluntly, Dabo is simply the better player, and needs to be involved.

Saturday’s Port Vale encounter in another must-win contest.

It’s a massive occasion for the club as Town have a tough run of fixtures coming up, Williams’ side facing four of the top six over the next three weeks.

But I stand by my earlier statement that if we can keep our core group of players fit, we will survive.

I firmly believe that we will take a huge step forward in two days’ time in Staffordshire.