PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town (2) v (1) Forest Green Rovers

10-man Swindon held on to claim an important three points against Forest Green Rovers last night as Ben Garner's side kept their playoff hopes alive. Read our verdict on last night's performance as Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings.

GK: L Ward (7)

Many expected Ward to be relegated to the bench as JoJo Wollacott came through training unscathed to make himself available. However, Garner kept the faith and Ward repaid him with a solid performance between his sticks. 

Ward displayed great distribution with long throws upfield to help get Swindon away on the counter-attack and when balls came into the box he wasn’t afraid to get off his line. 

Did well to get down to the initial shot that led to Rovers scoring but perhaps should have done better to palm the effort out of play.

RB: M Egbo (6)

Egbo will likely keep his place at right-back with Rob Hunt injured for the remainder of the season and although he demonstrates great pace and adaptability in attack, he doesn’t look as strong when defending. 

Got forward well to provide width to Town’s attack but was occasionally caught out of place when Rovers went forward.

CB: M Baudry (8)

Since announcing his intentions to retire at the end of the season, Mathieu Baudry has been playing like a defender in his prime years and yesterday was another such performance from the 34-year-old. 

Started Swindon’s attack with some cool footwork to take a man on before passing up to Jack Payne as Swindon opened the scoring. Defensively he was excellent in putting his body on the line with some sliding blocks inside his box to keep Rovers at bay.

CB: D Conroy (C) (6.5)

Conroy looks an improved player alongside Baudry and seems to thrive when used in a defensive partnership with someone more experienced. Had the quieter night of the two Swindon centre-backs but did well to move the ball quickly and win his aerial duels.

LB: E Iandolo (4)

Swindon through and through Ellis Iandolo has been one of Town’s most versatile and important players this season, but against Forest Green, the versatile full-back’s actions almost caused Swindon to concede their playoff hopes as he was shown a red card early in the second-half. 

Was reckless in his tackling when already on a yellow card and deserved to be sent off as Swindon held on with 10 men.

CM: L Reed (8)

Reed has often been lauded for his attacking capabilities in getting the ball moving through midfield and scoring with long-range strikes, however, last night it was his defensive performance that saw Reed heaped with praise. 

He was influential in breaking up play, winning the ball back in midfield, and intercepting passes on the edge of the Swindon box as he helped guide Swindon to a crucial win.

LM: J Williams (7)

Jonny Williams has largely failed to live up to the hype that his arrival at the County Ground brought with it but last night produced arguably one of his best performances in a Swindon shirt. 

Seemed to pop up in almost every area on the pitch and was a key figure in helping control possession in attacking areas along with being the out ball when Town were under pressure. Took the ball on in tight situations and often found a way out before being subbed.

RM: J Payne (8)

The Jack Payne on show when Harry McKirdy is in the team compared to when the star striker is out injured is completely different with Payne influential in helping Swindon to victory last night as he helped set McKirdy up for the assist that led to the opening goal before then scoring himself just before half-time. 

Payne needs to be at his best if Swindon are to creep into the playoffs and performances like last night are exactly what Town need.

LW: L Barry (8)

Bagged a sixth goal in Swindon colours last night as he kept his cool to tap-in McKirdy’s pass at the back-post and open the scoring in the highly-charged local encounter. Then grabbed an assist with his cutback to the edge of the box setting up Payne’s shot to round off an excellent first-half display. 

Was hooked early in the second-half as Garner added defensive reinforcements following Iandolo’s sending off.

RW: H McKirdy (7.5)

Didn’t score but did everything else right as he assisted Barry for the opening goal with a perfectly placed cross and was relentless in both attack and defence as 10-man Swindon held on to take all three points. 

McKirdy may not always be the referee's best friend but when he plays his presence seems to raise the game of every Swindon player and last night was another example of this.

ST: J Davison (6)

Did well to chase loose balls and hold up play when long balls were played up to him but rarely troubled the Rovers defence or goalkeeper. Davison plays his part in contributing to attacks but as the central striker should be scoring more frequently or at least testing the keeper.

SUBSTITUTIONS

A Odimayo (6.5)

Did well operating as an unorthodox left-back after being brought on to add strength to Swindon’s defence following Iandolo’s sending off. Was forced to concede space out wide as he defended balls being blasted into Town’s box and showed quality in staying on his feet and dispossessing attackers in tense situations.

B Gladwin (6)

Came on for just over 10 minutes and had very little time with the ball at his feet as Swindon were forced to defend deep as Forest Green attempted to make their man advantage count in the closing stages of the match. His experience helped Swindon’s younger players keep their heads in a nail-biting conclusion.

J O’Brien (N/A)