	Date added: 01 December 2007

Leaving it late

Town win at the death - but takeover talks hit serious snag

F.A. Cup Round 2

RESULT: Swindon Town 3 Forest Green Rovers 2

Swindon Scorers: J-P McGovern 13, H Aljofree 69, B Sturrock 88

Forest Green Scorers: S Fleetwood 54, M Beesley 66

Swindon came from behind to beat local rivals Forest Green to advance into the third round of the F.A. Cup.

The scoreline flattered Swindon in a game that Forest Green no doubt regarded as their cup final - but a late Blair Sturrock winner put pay to any potential upset.

Blair Sturrock - Swindon Town v Forest Green Rovers

In the nick of time:

Blair Sturrock celebrates after scoring the goal

that put Town into the third round of the Cup

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Right from the first whistle Forest Green gained the initiave without making any real clear cut chances.

However, it was Swindon who took the lead after twelve minutes when Jon-Paul McGovern scored directly from a corner - Rovers keeper Ryan Robinson may have felt he could have done better, but conditions weren't exactly favourable.

As the second-half got underway the heavens opened and made conditions even more hazardous, but once again it was the visitors who dealt with them better.

Tough battle:

Barry Corr in the thick of the action

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Rover's prolific striker Stuart Fleetwood got them back into the tie when he slotted home a richly deserved equaliser on 54 minutes.

Forest Green's travelling contingent were 'Singing in the Rain' ten minutes later when Mark Beasley headed them infront. The goal looked like it could give the non-league side their second league scalp in as many rounds.

But Town Captain Hasney Aljofree had other ideas as he headed home a Michael Pook cross with 20 minutes to go.

The tie looked to be heading into a dreaded replay until Blair Sturrock was in the right place at the right time to slot home Billy Painter's parried shot with two minutes left.

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The goal was rich reward for a player who has been unfairly treated following the departure of Sturrock senior to Plymouth and will hopefully go some way to endearing him to the Town faithful.

With the third round draw taking place tomorrow Town fans will no doubt be hoping for a big Premiership tie or possibly a mouth-watering game against Plymouth Argyle as the club look to continue their run in this year's competition.

UPDATE: Town draw non-League opposition once again

With almost the last ball out of the bag, Swindon have been drawn against Burton Albion or Barnet in the third round of the FA Cup.

The tie will be played at the County Ground on the 5th or 6th January.

TAKEOVER LATEST

The proposed takeover by a consortium led by local businessman Andrew Fitton has hit a legal snag, it has been revealed.

Speaking before today's game, Mr Fitton confirmed that talks with the Town board were close to a conclusion, but that a 'serious' issue concerning the development of the County Ground had caused a delay.

Andrew Fitton, Swindon Town 01 December 2007

Town's big hope:

Andrew Fitton (right) at today's game

"It's not a financial issue," Fitton, who attended today's match with his son, admitted, "but a legal one that only the lawyers can sort out."

"It's a serious one but it's not insurmountable."

A protest by Swindon fans before and after the game called for the Board to 'act quickly' to save the club, who face a potential winding-up order in the coming weeks relating to their failure to make the latest CVA payment to the Inland Revenue.