SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner says hard work must come first if his team is to earn the right to beat Harrogate Town at the County Ground on Saturday.

Swindon will be looking to record consecutive home victories for the first time this season after a 3-1 success against Hartlepool United on Tuesday night.

While there were many aspects of the midweek performance which pleased the Swindon boss, Garner admitted his team cannot afford to present Harrogate with as many chances as they allowed Hartlepool.

Simon Weaver’s side has one of the best away records in the division while also possessing an impressive average expected goals-per-game ratio, according to Garner.

Therefore, the Swindon boss says energy levels must remain high if the hosts are to assert their gameplan on the North Yorkshire outfit.

Garner said: “We’ve got to work really hard as a starting point. Our endeavour and our determination is going to have to be very good against Harrogate.

“But then we’ve got to try and impose our game like we did at times against Hartlepool on Tuesday.

“I thought there were spells where we were really in control against Hartlepool, but it was probably just a mad two minutes in the second half where they hit the bar and then scored immediately after.

“Our decision-making and structure could have been a little bit better. So it will be a case of trying to have the control and the good attacking play we did, but restricting Harrogate to fewer chances than we allowed Hartlepool on Tuesday night.”

One player who could potentially have an impact off the bench on Saturday is Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

The former academy prospect has had to remain patient for his opportunity while he recovered from a long-term knee injury, but now at full speed, Garner says the 22-year-old is “chomping at the bit” and ready to take his chance when it comes.

Garner said: “Jayden is ready to play now. He had a long-term injury, so it was about getting him up to speed, and up to full sharpness, and fitness.

“I think he’s lost around six or seven per cent body fat since coming into the club. Full credit to Jayden because he’s worked really hard to get himself back into top physical condition – he’s chomping at the bit to get an opportunity.

“The front players have done well so far, and Jayden did well against Newport in the EFL Trophy – he’s ready to play at any moment now.”