With Town currently leading the pack of League 2 promotion contenders, there are high hopes that the club will emulate the title-winning achievement of the 1985/86 squad, who clinched promotion on Tuesday, April 8.

Swindon, then unbeaten in 13 League games, were eight points clear of Chester City at the top of the old Fourth Division when the two faced each other at the County Ground.

The opening half was a largely forgettable one with play being constantly punctuated by the shrill of the referee’s whistle, more than 30 free-kicks being given. Straight from the kick-off visiting striker Steve Johnson, on loan from Bristol City, charged across the centre-circle to foul Chris Kamara and was immediately cautioned!

Johnson was the Rochdale player involved in the collision with Jimmy Allan that had ended the keeper’s career two seasons earlier. And just four minutes into this contest he took advantage of a poor punch out by Kenny Allen following a corner, to put his side in front.

It took Swindon most of the half to get back on terms but with three minutes to go Dave Hockaday sent a right wing cross to the back post for 6ft 3in striker Dave Bamber to head home, despite the efforts of David Glenn to keep the ball out with his hand.

But Johnson again silenced the County Ground when he put the visitors in front, from a twice-taken penalty. Peter Coyne was caught in possession and saw Milton Graham stumble over his outstretched leg.

David Axcell pointed to the spot and then ordered the Chester striker to retake the kick following encroachment. At the second attempt Johnson hit his effort just under the bar.

However, just six minutes into the second half Town were level again with another move down the right which saw Hockaday again set up Bamber to power in another header.

But this time Chester were given no time to bounce back. Within two minutes Coyne weaved his way into the box before lifting the ball over John Butcher for Bryan Wade to score with a diving header.

The visitors then found themselves 4-2 down midway through the second period when a Charlie Henry cross found Barnard who rifled the ball past the keeper. And Chester’s challenge was effectively over just four minutes later when Graham was dismissed for a late challenge on David Cole.

Swindon had a chance to further increase their lead when Earl Barrett fouled Wade in the area. But Coyne saw his penalty cannon off the legs of Butcher, who was quick to react to Bamber’s follow up keeping that out too.

With seven games left Town could now turn their attention to clinching the championship, which duly came with a 1-1 draw at Field Mill in Mansfield 11 days later. Swindon Town: Allen, Ramsey, Hockaday, Barnard, Cole, Calderwood, Coyne, Henry, Bamber, Wade, Kamara. Sub (not used): Hall.

Chester City: Butcher, Glenn, Barrett, Greenough, Butler, Coy, Kelly, Graham, Johnson, Houghton, Bennett. Sub (not used): Sconce. Attendance: 12,630.

- by Paul Plowman