INVOLVED in two key moments of Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Northampton Town, Swindon Town midfielder Jordan Lyden certainly played his part.

A goal-saving tackle on former Swindon striker Andy Williams in the 73rd minute preceded a 77th minute winner from Lyden as the Australian powered in just his second career goal to give Richie Wellens’ men all three points.

It looked as if the game would end in an endeavour-fuelled stalemate, however, as Swindon began to take control the hosts almost snatched the lead on the counter-attack.

And on a night where fine margins were always likely to prove the difference, Lyden had to ensure his first significant contribution was airtight.

Recalling the moment when he saw Williams cut back onto his right foot past Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Lyden said: “The main thing that was going through my head was just: ‘get the ball’.

“If I mis-timed that tackle, then it would have been a clear penalty as I think it was inside the box.

“I made sure I stayed focused on the ball and generally I do time my tackles quite well – Bradford aside.

“But I was delighted to see the ball bounce off their player and ricochet out for a goal kick.

“That seemed to give us a bit of a lift as well going forward.

“We created a couple of chances after that, and then thankfully I got my chance and put it away.”

Lyden’s composed header past Northampton stopper David Cornell was his first for Swindon since joining last summer and only the second of the 24-year-old’s professional career.

And while the game’s winning moment was pleasing for Lyden, Swindon’s combative midfielder felt his tackle moments earlier had laid the foundations for his team’s late winner.

Lyden said: “It was only my second professional goal and I was obviously delighted, but the main thing was the three points.

“I was delighted to get on the scoresheet and help the team out any way I could.

“Five minutes before the goal, I’d made a last-ditch tackle and that livened me up a bit.

“That helped me get up the other end and into the box – they equal each other out for me because I stopped a goal up one end before scoring up the other.”