REMARKABLE Eoin Doyle stole the lower division’s national headlines after netting another two goals at the weekend, and Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens explained how he persisted throughout the summer to secure the Irishman’s services.

Doyle’s first-half brace was rather dampened by Swindon-born Joseph Mills – the 30-year-old bagged two goals of his own to rescue an unlikely point for Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn in a fiery League Two Christmas cracker that ended 2-2.

Irish striker Doyle struck twice in 19 minutes before the break to confirm goals 20 and 21 for the season.

By comparison, the division’s next highest scorer is team-mate Jerry Yates with 10, while Crewe Alexandra’s Chris Porter is currently third having notched eight goals this term.

Doyle’s capture on loan by Wellens was without question accelerated by Yates’ Carabao Cup sending off at Colchester United on August 13 – four days before the 31-year-old made his Swindon debut at Exeter City.

But Wellens admitted he played the patient game with Doyle, who couldn’t sign for Swindon earlier in the summer because of financial restrictions.

Only in mid-August after Doyle went three games without scoring for parent club Bradford City was a middle-ground agreement reached.

Wellens explained: “We always said we wanted another striker. I want to play proven centre forwards.

“Kaiyne Woolery wants to be that, but I can see him being so effective in wide areas. Eoin (Doyle) was always on our radar, but we didn’t think we’d get him.

“When he popped up, we moved quick to get him. The money he is on at Bradford is more than what we could afford to pay.

“You see a lot of signings towards the end of the transfer window, and that’s because of bartering, if you like, and the negotiations.

“It’s up to one club to give in – to either pay the money or let a player slide for a bit cheaper.”

Following full-time at Forest Green on Saturday, Town’s squad had four full days to rest and prepare for Cambridge United’s visit to the County Ground on Boxing Day.

Immediately after the game, Wellens was undecided if players would report to training on Christmas day.

However, he did state a schedule has been set for members of management – a schedule which will not be changed.

He said: “We’ve got a schedule for Christmas, we won’t change from that schedule.

“We’re pretty organised with what we’re going to do. I’ve done this period three times as a manager, and what I have done has varied.

“But our schedule for this year is sorted and we’ll go through with that.”