MARK Cooper was delighted with response of the players as Swindon ended a run of three consecutive defeats by beating Bradford City 2-1 with a determined performance.

Town were by far the better side in the first half, dominating the ball and with the help of a returning Massimo Luongo taking a two-goal lead.

Town played some of their best football this season in the opening period but in the second 45 a resurgent Bradford came back into it, Billy Clarke’s goal setting up a nervy finish.

Swindon showed good resolve to see it out, delighting Town boss Cooper.

“We needed to get back on track and the three points was obviously the most important thing of the evening,” he told the local press.

“I thought we were outstanding first half, some of the football was incredible and the game could, should, have been out of sight.

“I think they realised that they made the game far too open in the second half but after the first ten or 15 minutes we got to grips with it again and had one or two opportunities to finish it off. I was pleased with the way we saw it out in the end.”

Town did waste chances to further their lead, namely Andy Williams hitting the stanchion late in the first half when put in by Jack Stephens.

That profligacy did disappoint Cooper, especially as his side let Bradford back into the game in the second half.

“We were wasteful again in front of goal and we could have been sitting comfortable at half time,” he added.

“2-0 is always a funny score. If they score it is game on if you score it is game over.

“The first 10 minutes off the second half we played with our hearts and not our heads and trying to finish every attack off and made it end to end.

“That is probably down to the youth and exuberance of the boys. They are desperate to go and score goals.

“I just said to them that 2-0 up at home against a team that have knocked two Premier League teams out of the FA Cup, full of confidence you have got to play with control and your head.”

The Swindon Advertiser were not permitted to attend the post-match press duties.