NATHAN Byrne returns to the scene of one of his two bizarre sending-offs last season this weekend, but the Swindon Town defender won’t be pondering over the past when he takes to the pitch at the Broadfield Stadium.

Byrne was sent off by referee Andy D’Urso at Crawley Town in November for a second bookable offence, despite clearly winning the ball in a sliding challenge.

It was a second strange dismissal in the space of three months, following a red card incurred at MK Dons, and left the wing-back incredibly frustrated at time.

However, nine months on, Byrne has only got one focus - helping Town get the three points they need to potentially take them top of the League One table after two matches of the new term.

“I don’t tend to think of things after it’s happened. I just take each game as it comes and hope for the best. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

“What we tend to concentrate on is our performance because then we know the results will come. If we get our performances right and our defending right, I think going forward becomes quite natural to the boys we’ve got because of their technical ability and understanding.

“I think it’s more defensively we’ve got to work on hard. If we can strengthen that and keep on going then I don’t think we’ll have any worries.”

Byrne, who spent a short spell at Crawley earlier in his career, is anticipating a thorough test of Town’s credentials in Sussex.

“I think everyone knows the style we’re trying to play and everyone knows what our boys are about. As soon as they seen clips of us they know us,” he said.

“We know they’re going to come at us and they’re always quite a strong side to play against - especially away - but we’re going to go there and hopefully get a result.”