IT WAS a case of practice makes perfect for Anton Rodgers as he produced the pivotal moment in Swindon Town’s 1-0 win at home to Bradford City on Saturday.

Rodgers sent a superb curling free-kick past Bantams stopper Colin Doyle from 30 yards, with the strike midway through the first half proving enough to separate the sides at the County Ground.

Set-pieces are something Rodgers works tirelessly on in addition to Town’s regular training, so the midfield man was delighted to see this one pay off in such spectacular fashion.

Although his celebration was somewhat subdued, Rodgers said: “I was obviously excited that it went in.

“I practice a lot every day in training with the boys and there’s a few of us that fancy our chances taking a free-kick. Thankfully it was me today and thankfully it went in, so I was very happy with it.

“It is just repetition and getting your mindset for that moment. Normally I practice a bit closer in, so it was a bit further out than I would normally practice.

“It’s important we do take the time after sessions to do that because we got the three points out of it today and it just makes things a lot easier and happier going forwards.”

The goal was the culmination of a frantic first 20 minutes at the County Ground, with chances coming at either end, and Rodgers was happy that his intervention helped Town gain the impetus in the game.

“I think we needed it. We would have liked to have got on the ball a bit more than we did in the first 20 minutes but that contribution maybe just helped us settle down a little bit,” said Rodgers.

“The difference today was that they weren’t as direct as what they normally are.

“I know they were direct and did use James Hanson but they had good footballers in there as well and did play football so it left me in two minds whether to help the centre backs by screening by getting in front of the front man or to press in midfield.

“They were a tough team and that’s what League One is all about. You come up against teams that mix it up a bit and trust their way of playing, and it’s important we do the same.”