“THEY’VE come back from the dead at the Valley”

11 years ago on Monday, Swindon Town were involved in one of the most remarkable play-off games in the club’s history.

An unforgettable night in South East London began in disastrous circumstances when Town’s first-choice goalkeeper David Lucas went down clutching his shoulder inside the first five minutes.

Fast forward an hour, and Swindon were 2-0 down on the night and playing with only 10 men following Gordon Greer’s red card.

Somehow, Swindon had managed to throw away a two-goal lead from the first leg of the League One play-off semi-final and were 3-2 down on aggregate.

A goal each from Charlie Austin and Danny Ward at the County Ground in Friday’s first leg appeared to have been in vain.

Deon Burton heading past Lucas in the first leg gave the Addicks hope, and Phil Parkinson’s men had an awful lot more than hope when Simon Ferry’s own goal preceded David Mooney’s first-half goal at the Valley a few days later.

WATCH: Charlton Athletic 2 Swindon Town 1 (3-3) - Town win 5-4 on penalties.

However, Danny Wilson’s men were made of sterner stuff, and exciting young winger Ward poked home the tie’s leveller inside the final 15 minutes following a marauding run from Jon-Paul McGovern.

A significant chunk of the 21,000 people at the Valley jumped and screamed in delight when the ball trickled home, and the pendulum swung back towards the Wiltshire outfit.

That pendulum continued towards the away end when Miguel Llera was sent off for hauling Charlie Austin down as last man just before the end of regular time.

An equally action-packed period of extra time followed as Phil Smith - Lucas’ early replacement - enjoyed one of the games of his life.

Not even a bout of cramp could deny Smith from taking his place in goal as the tie went to penalties.

Burton and McGovern scored their respective side’s first in front of the home end before Nicky Bailey lashed his penalty high and wide to put Town in the box seat.

A successful strike from Austin nudged Town ahead, and five further goals left the result in the hands of loanee right-back, Stephen Darby.

The Liverpool-born defender converted the final penalty to send Swindon to Wembley and cap off an incredible night of drama.