OLLIE Banks was not surprised his Swindon Town debut was a nip-and-tuck affair after they edged to a narrow 1-0 home win over West Country rivals Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Banks became Town’s first signing of the January transfer window on Friday after agreeing to join from Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of the season and was immediately named in the starting line-up by boss David Flitcroft against Rovers at the Energy Check County Ground.

With local bragging rights as well as three precious points in League Two up for grabs, midfielder Banks had little doubt that a tense battle would play out at SN1.

That was exactly what unfolded as Luke Norris poked home in the dying stages after a goalmouth scramble to ensure it was Swindon who took the spoils.

“It was a local derby so it was never going to be easy, both teams don’t want to lose,” said Banks.

“I thought we had the best chances and their keeper pulled off three or four very good saves.

“There were a couple of deflections that could have gone either way but we ground it out and got the result in the end.

“It definitely felt like there would only be one goal in it. Derbies are always tight affairs but we did what we had to do and once we got the goal, I thought we looked very solid, played the percentage game and did what we had to do to see it out.”

Although the manner of the winning goal was far from memorable, Banks says the rewards which came with it are all that mattered.

The 25-year-old said: “Is there such a thing as a bad goal?

“To be fair to the player on the line, he got a couple of whacks to the head trying to keep it out. It was brave defending but thankfully for us, it wasn’t enough.”

Although Banks was satisfied with his first outing in Town colours, the new recruit hopes it is eager to go from strength to strength during his stint at the club.

“I was fairly happy with my performance,” said Banks. “There is a lot more to come. I want to get into that box and score some goals.”