BRILLIANT Swindon Town moved to the top of League Two this afternoon following a convincing 2-3 win against Football League newbies Salford City.

Free-scoring Eoin Doyle continued his fine form by notching a brace before Jerry Yates secured three points when he struck with 12 minutes remaining.

After Forest Green Rovers lost at home to Plymouth Argyle and Crewe were thumped by Northampton, Swindon have been promoted to the fourth tier’s summit – albeit with a game in hand over the majority of Town’s rivals.

Wellens made three changes to his side that defeated Walsall a fortnight ago – Town’s previous League Two game.

Two changes were forced – Keshi Anderson (injury) and Dion Donohue (end of contract) were absent while Diallang Jaiyesimi was dropped to the bench.

In came Ellis Iandolo, Kaiyne Woolery and Jordan Lyden – new recruit Paul Caddis featured on the bench.

Minutes had passed before Salford had the ball in the back of the net. A poor touch by Benda following Baudry’s pass back created an opportunity for City’s Rooney – who was fouled by the visiting ‘keeper while attempting to win possession.

The Irish forward failed to succumb to the pressure built up by some one thousand plus travelling fans behind the goal as Rooney calmly slotted his effort into Benda’s bottom right corner.

But the game’s focal point went from one Irishman to another in a matter of minutes. After Lyden superbly - and bravely - won possession from Threlkeld just inside the hosts’ half, Doughty proceeded with the ball before picking out the well-placed Doyle.

Doyle shot first time with his weaker foot from eight yards out at a slight angle to bury Town’s first effort into Neal’s bottom left corner.

Excluding the goals, chances up until the half-hour mark were few and far between – though Benda twice had to confidently venture from his goal line to prevent Rooney entering Town’s 18-yard box one-on-one.

Play was paused briefly with 10 minutes left in the half after home skipper Liam Hogan picked up a bang to his head, Town’s Grant also went down minutes after – but both men continued after returning to their feet.

Swindon’s best chances of the opening 45 came in the six minutes of stoppage time. First, an excellently worked free kick saw Doughty pick out Doyle on the edge of the D.

The division’s top scorer couldn’t add a 16th as his shot was blocked before Baudry headed the visitors’ follow up effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Doyle was again narrowly denied a second moments later. After Doughty’s cross from the left was controlled by Woolery, the ball found its way to the Irishman’s feet – this time Lyden got in the way of Doyle’s shot as City just about entered half-time level.

The level scoreline didn’t last long into the second half, though. And it was Doyle again – his 16th goal of the season.

After Yates’ shot from the left was judged to have been handled by Hogan, Doyle leathered his kick from 12 yards into the roof of Neal’s net – sparking joyous scenes in the packed away end.

The penalty wasn’t taken to heart by Salford. Dieseruvwe was fouled on the edge of the D to grant Touray a chance from 20 yards. Yates bravely blocked the free kick before City’s eventual follow-up attempt was hacked clear by Iandolo.

City boss Alexander shuffled his pack at this point with 25 minutes remaining. Dieseruvwe was replaced by fellow striker Armstrong, who had scored only one goal all season.

Seventy minutes passed, and only ambitious efforts at either end could be registered – Jones’ 25-yard strike was comfortably gathered by Benda before Yates’ placed attempt was guided just wide of Neal’s far post.

The Rotherham forward – on loan for the season – wasn’t left to rue his latest missed chance for long, though.

After Doughty’s curling effort from range was fisted away, Doyle was denied a hat-trick on the follow up before Yates – in the right place at the right time – leathered home the visitors’ third effort.

It could’ve easily been four in the closing moments. A bursting run by Woolery on the right granted Doyle time to make his own space in the penalty area.

Doyle was picked out, but his effort was blasted way over Neal’s crossbar – to the amusement of the jubilant travelling support.

More scenes were prompted in the away end when Paul Caddis was chosen as Wellens’ third and final substitute in stoppage time – it was the defender’s first Town appearance in six years.

Adam Rooney scored a late penalty for Salford after ex-Town trialist Asante was fouled in the penalty area.

Rooney’s second strike meant little, though, as Leigh Doughty called time of the game shortly afterwards.