IF you were there at a rain-and-tear-soaked Withdean Stadium in 2004, this is for you.

If you have suffered the years of finanacial mismanagement at the County Ground, relegations, administrations and the very real threat of no club to support any more, then savour every single moment. This is for you.

Danny Ward’s toe poke through Darren Randolph’s legs sent 2,000-plus travelling Town fans crammed in the away end at The Valley crazy, not to mention the whole of Wiltshire back home.

And when Stephen Darby coolly stroked home Town’s fifth and decisive penalty, it sent out a stark message that Swindon Town are back.

Going into the tie with a slender advantage, Town were dealt a crushing blow with just 38 seconds on the clock.

Keeper David Lucas came out to claim a long throw, and as he took the ball went over the top of Jonathan Douglas, landing awkwardly on his shoulder.

The big stopper received treatment for almost five minutes before being replaced by understudy Phil Smith.

Despite plenty of early Charlton pressure, it took another four minutes for Smith to be called into action, confidently claiming a deep cross.

Deon Burton fashioned the first opportunity of the evening on 12 minutes but headed well over. And when Kyel Reid cut inside and fired goalwards seconds later Smith was on hand to beat it away.

The opening spell had been all the hosts’, but Wilson’s side suddenly sparked into life, with Douglas having two efforts blocked.

However, in the 27th minute it was the Addicks who broke the deadlock on the night, levelling things up overall.

Smith seemed to be impeded as he tried to claim Gary Borrowdale’s corner, but even that couldn’t excuse Ferry’s wild swipe on the line which only succeeded in sending the ball into his own net.

And it seemed to knock the stuffing out of Town.

With half-time approaching Charlton midfielder Jose Semedo lofted a ball into the danger zone, where Burton rose above Darby, but could only loop his header on to the roof of the net.

But deep into five minutes of stoppage time they doubled their lead and edged ahead on aggregate.

Reid, who had already caused plenty of problems down the left, slipped away from Darby and his impressive pull-back was matched by Mooney’s equally clinical finish across Smith into the far corner.

Billy Paynter headed narrowly over as the visitors attempted an instant response but the big striker missed the target.

Town looked much brighter at the start of the second period and Charlie Austin carved out their best opportunity when he latched on to Gordon Greer’s chip into the area, held off a challenge and produced an outstanding close-range stop from Addicks keeper Darren Randolph.

Wilson withdrew 29-goal top scorer Billy Paynter for Alan O’Brien in a bid to freshen his side up but they received another set-back on 67 minutes as Greer was sent off by referee Neil Swarbrick.

The centre-back challenged for a bouncing ball with Burton, and although his foot was high he clearly played the ball before following through into the striker’s midriff, earning him a straight red card.

But that resilience which Wilson’s side have shown time and time again this season came to the fore once again in the 74th minute.

As a Charlton attack broke down, Town broke at speed with Ward feeding McGovern just short of the halfway line.

The midfielder was given the time and space to travel with the ball, and although his shot from the edge of the area was blocked, the ball ran kindly for Ward, and the Bolton loanee slipped it through the legs of Randolph to put the visitors back in the tie.

Burton should have put the Addicks back in control with eight minutes remaining as he connected with a cross from the right. But, unmarked and around 10 yards out, the experienced striker was unable to beat Smith.

The substitute keeper once again came to his side’s rescue, saving well with his legs to deny Mooney as Charlton began to impose their one-man advantage, and then with just seconds left he sprung full-length to his left to keep out Bailey’s drive from distance.

As the game entered stoppage time Austin controlled a long ball and raced away from Miguel Llera, who bundled him to the floor about 20 yards out.

And with the centre-back the last man, Mr Swarbrick took the chance to level the numbers up by producing another red.

Scott Cuthbert could only head the resulting free kick well over, but it gave Town the hope that they could still achieve what seemed impossible at one point, and the clash went to extra time.

Charlton substitute Scott Wagstaff threatened early in extra time when his low drive from distance struck the outside of the post, and Smith performed heroics yet again to prevent fellow replacement Nicky Forster, after the veteran front man had turned Cuthbert and Kevin Amankwaah inside out.

That wasn’t even his best - Smith saved that for minute 100, superbly tipping over Therry Racon’s left-footed drive which had taken everyone by surprise.

But the keeper could do nothing as Fraser Richardson’s half-volley from fully 30 yards flew past him, only to strike the upright and bounce behind, much to the frustration of the majority of the 21,000-plus crowd.

Into the second half of extra time and Town could have easily snuck ahead. Breaking from a failed home attack, McGovern’s pass found Ward on the right-hand side of the area, but the goalscorer was unable to double his tally as his curled low effort flew just the wrong side of the far post.

At the other end Burton dragged a shot inches wide as the home side threatened, but it was to be decided from the spot.

Swindon were perfect. McGovern, Austin, Amankwaah, Ward and Stephen Darby excelled with their duties.

And while Chartlon’s were mainly equally impressive, captain Bailey blotted their copybook as he skied the second, allowing the visitors to toast a memorable victory and prepare for a trip to Wembley.