DANNY WILSON is chasing success on both league and cup fronts at Swindon Town.
Swindon face Wrexham in the second round of the FA Cup tomorrow knowing that they are only one win away from securing a potential money-spinning tie in the next round against a top Premiership outfit.
But it is what is happening in the bread and butter of the league that is exciting Swindon supporters at the moment.
Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Huddersfield Town was Swindon’s third successive League One win and it moved the Robins up to seventh position in the table, just one point and one place away from the play-offs.
Swindon also have one game in hand on all the sides above them except leaders Leeds United, and the Robins will be confident of making up more ground on those teams after defeating high-flying Huddersfield.
But Wilson, who took charge on Boxing Day in 2008 with Swindon involved in a relegation dogfight before ending the season in a credible 15th place, insists there is still plenty of work to be done to maintain their challenge at the right end of the table.
“It was very hard fought (against Huddersfield) – not just to cope with the team we were playing against, but also with the conditions,” said Wilson, whose side also had to deal with a strong wind.
“We both tried to play football in very difficult conditions, and thankfully we got the goal in the second half which was enough.
“We’ve now got to maintain it. It’s only November and there’s a lot of big games in front of us yet.
“But it puts us in that area where we want to be and it keeps it nice and tight. We needed that.”
At the start of the season, Swindon were not expected to be challenging for promotion but supporters have been buoyed by their exploits so far.
Wilson admitted spirits are high at the County Ground but says he does not want his players to take the foot of the pedal.
“The confidence is sky high at the moment, we look very resilient and we’re really starting to see that winning mentality in the boys that we’ve talked about.
“It’s nice to be up there where we want to be, but nothing happens in November.”
Victory against Huddersfield was preceded by League One wins against Carlisle United (1-0) and Tranmere Rovers (4-1) as Swindon continued their surge up the table.
Last Saturday’s game at Carlisle United was only given the go ahead after a massive effort to drain water from the Brunton Park playing surface.
Staff used an industrial pump to help drain six to eight inches of water from the pitch after heavy rain in Cumbria. And a dry night meant the surface was deemed playable on Saturday morning.
Striker Charlie Austin was obviously pleased the match got the green light as he netted the winner on his full debut to secure a 1-0 success for Swindon.
And former Poole Town frontman Austin, who joined Swindon in October for an undisclosed fee, was at it again against Huddersfield in midweek.
Billy Paynter gave Swindon the lead before Huddersfield equalised but Austin secured three points for his side by once again grabbing the winner to take his tally to two goals in two games.
And Wilson is well aware of the impact 20-year-old Austin has made at Swindon.
“That’s just what Charlie does, he pulls off the back of defenders, and what a finish it was,” commented Wilson on the goal that sunk fifth place Huddersfield.
“Let’s hope there is more to come from him as he is becoming a bit of a cult hero at the club now.”
Boasting a run of three consecutive league victories, Swindon reached the second round of the FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Conference South outfit Woking.
But despite enjoying a decent run of late, Swindon have seen one route to Wembley come to an end after they were knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy at the Southern Section quarter-final stage.
Despite finishing 0-0 in 90 minutes against Norwich, another side in the League One promotion frame, Swindon exited the competition after they lost 5-3 on penalties.
But if that was not considered a ‘defeat’, Swindon make the trip to Wrexham unbeaten in five matches.
David Lucas is first choice goalkeeper while Kevin Amankwaah, Scott Cuthbert, Gordon Greer and Jean-Francois Lescinel lined up in defence against Huddersfield on Tuesday.
Jon-Paul McGovern, Simon Ferry, Jonathan Douglas and Anthony McNamee made up the midfield.
On-loan Ferry wants to remain at the club beyond his current deal which is due to end on January 2.
The 21-year-old has been an ever-present in League One since his arrival from Celtic at the end of August and the attraction of playing regular first-team football is behind his desire to remain at the County Ground.
Influential central midfield partner Jonathan Douglas recently returned to the side after serving a four-match ban.
The 27-year-old was initially banned for three games after being sent off in an ill-tempered match against Millwall on October 10 but, following an unsuccessful appeal by Swindon, the ban was extended.
Austin and Paynter were paired in attack on Tuesday.
Paynter is the leading scorer with eight goals followed by Austin, and a host of other players, who have struck twice.