SWINDON Town goalkeeping coach Steve Mildenhall agreed it was fitting that a player who Alan McLoughlin brought through the club’s academy was the one to have the biggest impact on a game in the days immediately after the club legend’s passing.

Scott Twine struck twice, including the winner, as Town beat Wigan Athletic 4-3 on Sunday – days after the club lost one of the most famous players in its history.

As academy manager, McLoughlin helped to bring countless youngster into Swindon’s first team – some of whom have gone on to enjoy successful careers.

One such player will no doubt be Twine, and it was he who took control of Town’s final game of the season to help overturn a two-goal deficit in stoppage time.

Mildenhall admitted it was nice to see that touch of fate come to pass before going on to give his own heartfelt tribute towards the man who was there when he made his own debut.

Mildenhall said: “Talking away from football, as much as we get down in the dumps or angry about football, when something like this happens it gives you a perspective on things.

“Going back a long time, but I was actually fortunate enough to make my debut at Portsmouth at the same time as Macca was playing for them.

“As you get a little bit older, things like that affect you a hell of a lot differently than when you’re in your early twenties.

“It’s a desperately sad week for the football club.

“It must be a horrific time for his wife and his daughters, so I think it was fitting to have a minute’s applause before Sunday’s game, and also with the lads wearing the armbands with his name on.

“There isn’t enough time to talk about how good a person Macca was.”