FA CUP PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Cheltenham

SWINDON TOWN host Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup first-round replay as Richie Wellens' side look to get the better of Cheltenham at the third time of asking this season. Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi previews the clash.

The two sides played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in the first-round earlier in the month where Jerry Yates' stoppage-time goal was cancelled out by Alex Addai.

This will be the third meeting between the two this season, but the first at SN1. Both meetings have ended in draws at Whaddon Road. 

A 3-2 win last time out at the Peninsula Stadium saw Swindon register a fourth straight win in League Two against Salford courtesy of a goal from Jerry Yates and a brace from Eoin Doyle to take Town to the top of League Two.

However, Swindon will have to make do without Europe's most in-form striker on Tuesday night, with Doyle being refused permission to play from parent club Bradford City. 

Anthony Grant has impressed since signing on loan on deadline day from Shrewsbury, but he will also be unavailable for the clash. 

Cheltenham have hit a bump in the road in recent weeks which has seen Michael Duff's side winless in their last four in all competitions - including a derby loss to Forest Green Rovers and a 7-4 loss to Newport in the Leasing.com trophy.

Cheltenham picked up a respectable point away at Exeter last weekend which sees Duff's side sit in 6th spot - four points behind Town with two games in hand. 

The winner of the tie will host fellow League Two side Port Vale in the second-round giving both sides a decent chance at reaching the desired third round, therefore both managers will be looking to name strong sides.

Wellens may opt for a 4-2-3-1 with Woolery, Doughty and Jaiyesimi playing behind Yates who will act as the lone striker.

Duff, on the other hand, has got Reuben Reid back at his disposal with the former Exeter striker returning from injury. 

Cheltenham will be aware of Swindon's habit of conceding late with Town conceding four injury-time goals in their last seven games, including the Addai equaliser in the return game. 

However, Cheltenham have been leaking a lot of goals in recent games with the Robins conceding ten goals in their last four games in all competitions, and with Yates already notching nine goals this season, he will be eager to add to his tally. 

Swindon should have come away with two wins from Whaddon Road this season but have snatched draws from the jaws of victory, and Wellens will be keen to make sure Town finally get a win over Cheltenham.

Town have only managed two wins against Cheltenham in their 16 meetings, but with Wellens' side hitting form and topping the League Two table, they will be confident in their abilities to advance through to the second round of the FA Cup for the third season in a row.