SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens said Plymouth Argyle were one of the best teams his side had faced this season following a 2-1 victory for the Robins on New Year’s Day.

Goals from Diallang Jaiyesimi and Eoin Doyle saw Wellens’ men come from behind at Home Park to snatch all three points against one of their promotion rivals in a fiercely entertaining game.

Both sides were guilty of missing guilt-edge chances throughout in a match that saw 25 shots shared between the two outfits.

But a snapshot goal on the counter-attack and a swift move late on put Town 11 points clear of their west-country rivals – though Argyle have two games in hand – ahead of another tough match at home to Bradford City on Saturday.

Wellens was characteristically level-headed following the final whistle, but revealed how pleased he was with the majority of his side’s work against a side he has tipped to be competing at the top come the end of April.

Wellens said: “Along with Crewe, Plymouth are the best team we’ve played this season.

“We played them earlier in the season and for 45, we were outstanding.

“With their movements and the way they play, they caused us a lot of problems – it was the same again this time.

“Along with us and maybe another couple of teams, they are the best at transitioning in the league because they’re a real threat with the people that they put in certain positions.

“I enjoyed the game at times because we caused them massive problems.

“Having said that, I didn’t enjoy the game at times because we were on the ropes for five-minute spells because they’re a really good football team.”

Town were also the first team to play in front of the brand new Mayflower Stand – a side which means the capacity of the Pilgrims’ Home Park is now 18,000.

While the attendance was a little way short of that on Wednesday – a shade over 15,000 spectators watched on – the Swindon manager credited the noise both sets of fans generated as his players toiled to see out the final 15 minutes with their lead intact.

He said: “I like how Ryan (Lowe) plays, I just think it was two good teams, two good managers that know exactly what they want their teams to do.

“Two sets of players that put everything into the game during a gruelling schedule and the good atmosphere probably helped as well.

“I think that helps with your energy levels.

“When you’re playing against a team where there is only 3,000 or so, you can concede, but because there was 15,000 here today, that little 10 per cent drives you on in the last 15 minutes.”