CLAIMING victory after losing the influential Paul Caddis from the starting line-up on Tuesday night highlighted how adaptable Swindon Town’s squad is, according to assistant manager Noel Hunt.

Swindon struggled to gain any real momentum prior to the break in midweek – while matters were made worse when one of Hunt’s most experienced charges went off injured midway through the first half.

Yet, after Tom Broadbent came on to replace the Scot and Zeki Fryers moved to his favoured left-back position, Swindon did not look any worse for the change and improved significantly in the second period.

Hunt applauded each of his back-line for their contributions both before and after the enforced change – highlighting Zeki Fryers in particular for showing no ill effects to being shifted to left-back after a significant period of time away from the position.

Hunt said: “Although Zeki is a left-back, he has come in and done an outstanding job at centre half because he’s quick, he can read the game, he can pass the ball and he’s good in the air.

“I think he cruises at centre half, but left-back is his natural position.

“When he went back there on Tuesday, Rob Hunt goes to right-back and Tom Broadbent comes on in his natural position too.

“Maybe on the night, Paul Caddis coming off actually helped us.”

The 1-0 win signalled Swindon’s second clean sheet in five games, and although Hunt’s men did have Steven Benda to thank for three excellent saves, the overall defensive display was equally as impressive.

Town’s assistant manager also paid tribute to the midfield trio of Michael Doughty, Jordan Lyden and Anthony Grant for their sterling defensive work to supplement the defence.

Hunt said: “I felt we got our distances right on Tuesday, we didn’t let many balls drop into gaps, we stayed brave and high up.

“In the second half, we got our first pass out right a lot of the time.

“But I was extremely pleased with the whole performance really – the midfielders worked extremely hard to get close their markers too.

“The likes of Nicky Adams and Sam Hoskins, they can hurt you if you give them time.

“So from a defensive aspect, I was really pleased with how we did.”