STRIKER Jerry Yates believes Swindon Town’s performance at Scunthorpe on Saturday showed several key components that will be needed to achieve promotion this season.

The Rotherham loanee said organisation, consistency and a desire to put your body on the line for the team were shown at the Sands Venue Stadium as Richie Wellens’ men came away 2-0 winners following breakaway goals from Yates and Keshi Anderson.

And while Yates was more than satisfied with the quality of Town’s counter-attacking play, the 22-year-old championed the efforts of the team in the defensive third – calling blocks from the likes of Rob Hunt and Jordan Lyden ‘unbelievable'.

Yates felt those characteristics will serve his new teammates well as they aim to utilise their growing bond as fuel for a promotion charge.

He said: “We showed a real desire not to concede – the lads were putting unbelievable blocks in and the ‘keeper was pulling off some good saves.

“We all stayed organised and we did our jobs, and that’s what gets you out the league – the organised teams and the consistent ones.

“The lads in defence were unbelievable – the blocks, the sacrifices and the amount of running the midfield had to do to help the defenders, we got a perfect performance from them.

“And the ‘keeper as well, he’s made a few good saves, so we’re all buzzing.”

Yates is unlikely to be given a run out in tonight’s EFL Trophy game against Chelsea under 21s as Wellens opts to give those who were not involved at the weekend a chance to get some competitive action under their belts.

But when the 22-year-old does return to the fold, he is keen to maintain his positive mental attitude of knowing a goalscoring opportunity will arrive if he keeps getting into the right position.

Yates said: “Against big centre-halves, you’ve always got to believe that your time will come.

“In this league especially, you’ll get a chance, so you’ve just got to make sure you take it.

“I thought their (Scunthorpe’s) centre-halves were really tough to play against and I’m happy I was able to get my goal.”

Since his arrival in June, Yates has seen five new signings follow him through the doors of the County Ground, and the Rotherham-born striker knows the positive vibe within the changing room will continue to grow every day, especially if Town continue to grind out away wins.

He said: “All the lads, even before Saturday, have got a good team morale.

“It’s looking good, and to get the win as well at such a big team like this and a hard place to come, that helps lift it even more.

“We’ll obviously now go into Tuesday and Saturday trying to win those games as well.”