Austin aims for Town to 'back it up' after seeing off Bradford

Super skipper Charlie Austin helped Swindon Town return to winning ways in League Two before declaring: “We’ve got to back it up.”

The former QPR and Southampton frontman slotted home a first-half penalty to send Town on their way to a 2-0 victory over Bradford City at the County Ground. 

Dawson Devoy turned in a second for the hosts just before the interval, sealing victory at the first time of asking for interim head coach Gavin Gunning. 

The result put Town 14th in the league table, with 37 points from 29 games played. 

And speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire post-match, Austin stressed the need to put a positive run together rather than savouring one victory. 

He said: “I didn’t know whether we would be able to get what Gav is working on to click straight away but we certainly did and it was great. 

“Listen, the players deserved that but I think the fans deserve that as well. They supported us all the way through the times where it has been tough. 

“Hopefully now that’s just the start but we’ve got to back it up, that’s the thing in this league. You can’t just do one and then kind of rest on your laurels. 

“We’ve got to train hard this week and then go again. We’ve got Newport away. It’s going to be a tough one but if we put in that performance, why can’t we go down there and win?”

?? Back in the dugout
?? Birthday yesterday
?? Three points today

A great weekend for #STFC's Gav Gunning! ?? pic.twitter.com/IuDdBT7AB2

— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) January 27, 2024

Town had picked up just four points from eight league games before their victory over the Bantams, a run which cost former boss Michael Flynn his job. 

Asked what was the key difference from recent performances, Austin replied: “Just positivity I think. 

“It just went flat too much before Christmas and we had bare bones and it just happens in football doesn’t it? You can’t really put your finger on anything. 

“Today just showed that bit of quality that we’ve got out and we could have easily won two, three, four nil. We won two nil which is great.”

Swindon are now seven points off a place in the play-offs, with Notts County currently occupying the final position in seventh. 

(Picture: Rob Noyes)