SWINDON Town will head to Wembley on Sunday safe in the knowledge they will not be dislodged from the top of League Two after they produced one of their best performances of the season to defeat title rivals Torquay 2-0 last night.

The Gulls arrived at the County Ground in superb form, with successive wins having moved them to within four points of Town.

Town, meanwhile, were looking to get back to winning ways following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Crewe at the weekend and a three points against Torquay would set themselves up nicely for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final against Chesterfield.

And the Robins bounced back in perfect fashion as goals from Alan Connell and Oliver Risser capped a dominant performance and moved them closer to securing the league title.

"What we did last night proved the lads are a professional group,” said boss Paolo Di Canio.

"The answer they gave me was the right answer because it is the right way to perform if we are to maintain this position. If we play like this then we are the best in this league and no one can beat us.

"We played the second team in the table full of confidence, even after the way we played on Saturday, but I had no doubt we would have a fantastic performance.

"We are very close to achieving what we want, the main target for us is to go up but now we can go to Wembley and enjoy the day.”

Follow Saturday’s defeat, Di Canio made a number of changes for the game, with Connell coming back into the side and Lee Holmes being given his first start since joining Town on loan from Southampton.

Aden Flint dropped to the bench with Risser partnering Alan McCormack in the centre of defence, while Alessandro Cibocchi replaced Callum Kennedy at left back.

Torquay arrived at the County Ground in as good form as Town having lost just twice in the league all year and they were clearly set up to try and come away with three points.

Burly striker Rene Howe drove a powerful but wayward shot from distance wide of goal while at the other end Connell struck an effort from outside the area that flew just off target.

It was an open start to the game but it was Town who eventually began to take control of matters as Cibocchi forced a low save from highly-rated keeper Bobby Olejnik before Matt Ritchie sent a dipping effort just wide of the upright.

Torquay, though, showed why they have got to where they are in the table with some fine flowing passing that presented them with their first real chance of the game as Eunan O’Kane warmed the gloves of Wes Foderingham.

However, it was the home side who drew first blood just after the half hour when the lively Connell vindicated his manager’s decision to hand him a start when he fired home through a crowd of players from Ritchie’s corner.

That goal clearly knocked Torquay off their stride a little and Town were largely untroubled up to the break, with Joseph Oastler volleying harmlessly wide just before the referee blew for half time.

It was a good first half performance from Swindon and they picked up from where they had left off after the restart as they continued to search out goalscoring opportunities.

Connell stuck out a foot to meet Ritchie low ball round the back of the defence, but his shot went wide and he then saw a header deflected inches wide of the post.

But it was from the resulting corner that Town grabbed a second. Ritchie again was the creator as he sent the ball into the area where Risser was on hand to power home a header.

Swindon are firmly in control in the latter stages of the game and came close to adding a third in the 74th minute when Ritchie lashed a powerful effort from distance that Olejnik did well to palm over the bar.

But a third goal was not needed as the home side comfortably closed out the remainder of the game to secure their 15th consecutive home victory that also strengthens their hold on first place.

The win means Swindon can head to Wembley on Sunday knowing that their participation in the cup competition will not be an unwanted distraction from their target of escaping the division at the first attempt.

“It is better to go to Wembley with a victory and especially in the way we performed last night,” added Di Canio.

“We deserved to win, we dominated and to go to Wembley with his kind of performance means we will go there in good confidence.

“It is a cup final and the players do not need any motivation from me.”