TWENTY years on from Swindon Town’s title-winning season in Division Two, David Wallis tells the tale of that 1995/96 campaign week by week – every week on Total Sport. The story continues as the demands of the league behind the grow on the Robins. An agonising tie against Stockport County was to deliver a few truths…
Town competed in a game in which the result didn’t necessary reflect the play, in a 1-1 draw at mid-table Stockport County on November 18th, 1995.
While the home team dominated the first half, a stunning strike from Wayne Allison saw Swindon trot in at half time a goal to the good.
Then, with the away supporters’ thoughts turning to a fruitful trip home with three points the reward, County substitute Ian Helliwell claimed an equaliser with just six minutes of the match remaining.
County hadn’t won in their previous six attempts, but pushed table-topping Town to the limit.
Early on Steve McMahon mistimed a challenge and only avoided a yellow card as the referee played an advantage. Then, Fraser Digby impressed for the first time that day, denying a Mike Flynn header that threatened to open the scoring.
County team mate Alun Armstrong missed his first opportunity at the back post, repeated the feat after 34 minutes, before the same man yet again evaded Mark Robinson three minute later, only to see Digby produce a brilliant stop.
But, with the first half drawing to a close and Town having spent the entire 45 minutes on the back foot, the tide was about to turn.
For the umpteenth time so far that season, McMahon floated in a pinpoint free-kick for Shaun Taylor to rise and head the ball back across goal. His lay-off just avoided both Allison and Kevin Horlock, but the let off for Stockport wasn’t to last.
A minute later a mistake by County defender Jim Gannon allowed Allison space. Holding off a challenge as the desperate Gannon attempted to atone for his error, the Chief slid the ball under keeper Neil Edwards to give Town an unlikely half time lead.
McMahon gave his players a dressing down during the break and his team came out with renewed vigour.
Just before an hour was up, Steve Finney won Town a corner. Horlock’s cross to Taylor was saved by Edwards, and when a Paul Bodin cross was also knocked on to Allison by Taylor three minutes later, the burly striker saw his space crowded out by a resolute Stockport defence.
Then, County launched their next onslaught.
Mark Robinson, still deputising for the injured Mark Seagraves in the centre of defence, continued to impress in his new role. He made a vital clearance after Digby had blocked a long range effort from the home team.
A 35-yard shot from Michael Oliver thumped against Digby’s crossbar with eight minutes to go, and it looked as though Town might survive to claim all three points.
But substitute John Jeffers crossed well to fellow sub Helliwell, who headed home from ten yards to grab the share of the points that their endeavour had rightly deserved.
The result left Town on 38 points after 17 games, four points ahead of second placed Crewe, who had gained a comprehensive 4-1 home win over Swansea City the same afternoon, and who also had a game in hand.
McMahon had mixed feelings.
“I’m pleased with the point but I’m obviously unhappy to concede such a late goal,” he said afterwards.
Town were still undefeated since the last day in September, but was this a sign that things may be starting to become a little trickier for the Division Two leaders?…