TOWN'S goalscorers Nathan Byrne and Sam Ricketts both concluded that Sheffield United’s goal actually served to steady their side as they fought back to win late on at Bramall Lane.

Byrne, whose injury-time goal delighted the 1,179 travelling fans, and Ricketts, the scorer of the equaliser with a firm header early in the second half, both conceded that Swindon started second best.

United came out fired up and were roared on by a vociferous home crowd. Town were harried in possession, looking overawed by the occasion and stage.

Kieron Freeman’s opener was coming, with the Blades slowly building pressure in the preceding five minutes.

But Mark Cooper’s side did well to steady themselves and after their hosts took the lead made the most of a relaxation in United’s press.

For Byrne it meant more space, which he ultimately took advantage of late on.

“In the first half they were probably the team on top,” said the wing-back. “Then they scored which helped us in a way because they suddenly sat off a little bit. There were spaces and we really did come back into it.

“We missed the penalty, but we knew we were on top. It was quite end-to-end, but their left and right back weren’t going forward as much, so I could stay up high.”

Ricketts’ evaluation was similar, if a little less technical. He saw his teammates settle mentally after the home side’s goal and thought Town largely had more of the game after going behind.

“Funnily enough their goal settled us down a bit,” he said. “We controlled the rest of the first half and were lucky not to get back in level, with the penalty.

Both scorers were also measured in assessing the significance of their strikes, preferring to focus on a job half done.

“It’s a great feeling, but we’re only halfway of course. The lads will be happy on the way back, but come tomorrow morning we’re fully focused on Monday’s game,” offered Byrne.

Ricketts added: “We’re at half-time, we’re not getting carried away. It’s fantastic to be in the lead, but there’s an awful long way to go.”