SWINDON Town beat a top-10 side for the first time this campaign following an enthralling 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day.

Following the opening of their new Mayflower Stand, over 14,000 home fans crammed into Home Park to see their side welcome the League Two table toppers, but Richie Wellens’ men proved to be suitable party poopers with goals from Diallang Jaiyesimi and Eoin Doyle.

Despite going behind to Dom Telford’s first-half header, Swindon rallied to go in level at the break before withstanding all the home pressure to take the lead late on courtesy of the division’s top scorer.

Doyle netted his 23rd goal of the season to send the 1,000 plus travelling supporters into raptures.

Richie Wellens made five changes from the 2-0 defeat to Port Vale, with Danny Rose, Jordan Lyden, Diallang Jaiyesimi, Lloyd Isgrove and Zeki Fryers all coming in.

Gabriel Zakuani was not named in the squad as Town named a rather youthful-looking bench.

Meanwhile, Argyle made three changes from their late win over Stevenage.

The home side made the better of the early running and almost went ahead, only for an excellent save from Steven Benda.

Argyle’s George Cooper crossed in towards Niall Canavan who headed across goal, but the German was alert to the danger and stuck out a big right hand to claw it away.

Moments later, Antoni Sarcevic burst past Fryers to get in one-on-one, but his shot was tame as he ran out of steam.

Town saw early chances too through Jaiyesimi and Doyle, though Palmer was in sparkling form to deny both.

Just as Town were beginning to build up a head of steam, Plymouth’s Dom Telford headed the hosts in front in the 22nd minute.

Cooper’s ball in from the left was powerfully headed down, and although Benda got a full hand to the ball, he was unable to stop it crossing the line.

As the game continued at break-neck speed, Town continued to create chances and were level through a moment of class from Jaiyesimi in the 35th minute.

The Norwich loanee rolled the attentions of two markers in midfield before driving forward and lashing a powerful effort off the inside of Palmer's right-hand post.

Once Town had hauled themselves level, they dropped back slightly and allowed Plymouth time on the ball.

A handful of Cooper crosses bombarded the visiting box, but a combination of scrambled defence and poor finishing from Sarcevic and Canavan saw Swindon go in level at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first – Joel Grant almost put Argyle ahead when Fryers misjudged a long ball, however Grant was there to cover for Town.

Yates tried his luck from distance for Town a few minutes later, but Palmer reacted smartly to turn the ball away from danger when it looked to be creeping in.

The hosts were next to come close after Byron Moore’s cross found it’s way across goal towards Cooper on the left.

Only a brave Grant block denied what would have been a certain goal.

After coming on as a substitute for Yates, Woolery made an immediate impact from the bench.

The winger spun his man and charges down the left and into the box before trying to pick out an unmarked Doyle.

However, his cross was just slightly overhit and it rolled out for a goal-kick.

Town were almost gifted a go-ahead goal in the 70th minute after they won a corner and Jaiyesimi crossed tamely into the middle.

Argyle stopper Palmer somehow missed the ball, but did enough to put Woolery off who had come charging in at the far post.

With 15 minutes to play, Town did go ahead after Eoin Doyle did what all good strikers should do and attacked the near post.

Substitute Michael Doughty received the ball in the middle, played it outside to Caddis who cut his cross behind the defensive line towards Doyle who rolled the ball in side-footed past Palmer.

Once the goal went in, Town were happy to defend their own box and hit Plymouth on the counter, something they rarely managed in all honesty.

Nevertheless, Town held out to send the 1,063 fans back up the M5 with huge smiles on their faces.