SWINDON Town’s battling qualities have given new recruit Tom Broadbent optimism that they can continue to climb the League Two table after helping the team to a 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers on debut on Saturday.

Marc Richards and Michael Doughty put Town two goals to the good at the break at Prenton Park, and although James Norwood gave the home side hope after the break, Richie Wellens’ side dug in to make it seven points from the last nine available.

Broadbent was thrown into the action against Tranmere just a day after agreeing a switch to SN1 from Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

And the 27-year-old soon looked at home in the heart of defence, playing a key part in a solid rear-guard effort to claim victory.

“I felt quite comfortable in the first half, but Tranmere came at us in the second,” said Broadbent.

“Fortunately, we weathered that storm and secured the three points.

“We were decent in the first half. We’ve got some really good players and I can see us climbing the table more.

“We had a bit of grit, organisation and determination in the second half to see us through.

“We have a couple of young lads in the team, so it’s about getting our basics right – our shape – and playing from there.

“I play every game the same, whatever the crowd is like, so I’ll focus on getting my head down and playing.”

Broadbent, who previously played in non-league alongside a career in the Army, had little hesitation in taking up the opportunity to join Town after finding his chances limited at Rovers this season.

The centre-back made just 11 appearances for the Gas this term, with only seven of those coming in the league, so the prospect of increasing his game time at Swindon was too good to turn down.

“I knew Swindon were interested and I wasn’t playing as much as I would’ve liked to at Bristol Rovers. I really enjoyed my time there, but it wasn’t to be,” said Broadbent.

“The age I am at now, I need to be playing games and that’s what Swindon could offer me.

“Richie (Wellens) said he’s going to play me, that was all I needed to know.

“I love playing football and obviously played a lot of non-league and played a lot in the Army too.

“It’s nice to be playing now at a good level. I trained with the team only once before the game, and as it was a Friday session before a game it wasn’t too intense.

“I still don’t know everyone’s name properly yet, but I’m sure I will soon.

“You can’t pick up too much about the qualities of the team in one session.

“The training pitch was a bit heavy and soft, we couldn’t really get the ball down and play.

“However, I think the lads displayed what they have got, they knock the ball around well.”