Junior Hoilett’s 91st minute winner gave Swindon Town a 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at, providing a potentially crucial three points in the League Two automatic promotion race.
Ian Holloway’s men now sit just three points off third-place Cambridge United with seven matches to play, although the U’s do have a game in hand.
The 63-year-old described every player’s performance as ‘an eight out of 10’, but how did they really fare at Prenton Park?
GK: Connor Ripley (MOTM) – 9
The 33-year-old was the key to Town staying in the game as Tranmere began to pile the pressure on from the hour mark. Ripley made six saves in total, including three from inside the box. Most notably, he denied former Swindon forward Kaiyne Woolery with a superb piece of goalkeeping just minutes before Hoilett’s winner.
RB: Will Wright © - 7
In light of a tricky week , after Ian Holloway confirmed post-match that Wright’s wife had suffered a miscarriage this week, the skipper produced a true captain’s performance. He fought for every ball and got forward when possible.
CB: Jamie Night-Lebel – 8
The Canadian was outstanding in both defence and attack. His key contribution came in the form of a late goal line clearance after Ethan Bristow met a rebound from Ripley’s late Woolery save. He even came close to putting his side ahead in the 86th minute, forcing an impressive stop from Marko Marosi.
CB: Ryan Tafazolli – 8
Holloway himself said the 6’5 defender’s presence and aggression has given the Reds “a shot in the arm”. Tafazolli won almost every header as he spearheaded a solid and robust defensive performance.
LB: Jake Batty - 6
Batty had much less involvement in the game than the rest of the back four, but looked defensively sound. He was replaced by Michael Olakigbe in the 75th minute as Town searched for a goal, and the difference in attacking strength between the two was clear to see. But the former Accrington Stanley man held his own against Rovers winger Sol Solomon.
CM: Gavin Kilkenny – 7
A certain improvement on his Gillingham performance. The Irishman played a few nice through balls into the paths of Billy Bodin and Aaron Drinan and contributed to a combative performance against a hardworking midfield three for Tranmere.
CM: Darren Oldaker – 8
The 27-year-old seemed to cover every blade of grass on Saturday afternoon. Holloway paid compliments to him and commended his recent attitude change when reacting to difficult situations. Oldaker was the only real source of goalmouth action for Swindon early on as he forced Marosi into two saves from his long-range efforts.
CM: Aidan Borland – 6
The Aston Villa loanee started off on the front foot, getting in between the lines and causing a bit of chaos. Early on, he pinned himself on Sam Finley, who is 15 years his senior, causing the Tranmere captain issues. However, Borland’s influence faded as Swindon grew into the game.
RW: Billy Bodin – 5
In an attacking sense, Bodin failed to affect the game in the face of a resolute Rovers defence. Never really got into a rhythm but did contribute to the defensive effort at times.
ST: Aaron Drinan – 6
Much like Bodin, League Two’s top scorer wasn’t really involved in the patterns of play across the full 90 minutes. Although it was more down to Pete Wild’s gameplan than the Irishman’s level of effort and application. Made a few nice runs and flicks too.
LW: Fletcher Holman – 6
The 21-year-old looked bright with some nice touches and dribbles in the game’s early exchanges. But similar to his attacking partners, he was marked out of the match by the opposition’s defence. The youngster should have put Town ahead on the hour mark, when he found himself at the back post – but hit his shot down the throat of Marosi.
Substitutes:
Ollie Palmer – 7
The giant made a big difference inside Tranmere’s box after coming on with Hoilett in the 67th minute. His aerial strength gave the Robins the ability to win headers and cause some more chaos as they searched for an equaliser. Definition of a target man.
Junior Hoilett – 8
One shot, one goal. Clinical is the best word to describe the Canadian’s cameo. He didn’t have much else to do, but the 35-year-old’s experience allowed him to be in the right place at the right time and earn three points for Holloway’s men in the race for automatic promotion.
Michael Olakigbe – 8
Olakigbe was faultless in defence after replacing Batty. Despite only having nine touches of the ball, the Englishman provided Hoilett with a tidy assist following a mesmerising dribble that left Cameron Norman seeing stars. Good impact from the youngster.
Joel McGregor – 5
Replaced Tafazolli in the 89th minute and only had one touch of the ball, conceding a throw in as Tranmere pushed for an equaliser. But the 19-year-old held his position well and helped the Reds see out the win.
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