PAOLO Di Canio hopes Swindon can create another special moment in their season with a dominant victory over Northampton today and make further ground on securing an immediate return to League One.

On New Year’s Eve, a last-minute Alan McCormack goal gave Town a 2-1 victory at Northampton that caused Di Canio to memorably run half the length of the pitch to celebrate with his players.

It was a win that also sparked an incredible run in League Two as they collected maximum points from their next nine games to climb to the top of the standings.

For Di Canio, it was one of a couple of key moments during his tenure that he feels helped shape the character of his squad, and he is hoping for another season-defining victory that could set them on the way to ultimately securing the championship.

“The win at Northampton was the start of when we took off and flew,” he said.

“I told my players after that game we had to maintain that same level. It was a performance that enabled us to believe more in our own quality, not just the shape and discipline but also the quality of our character.

“It was a fantastic moment and in this game they have the chance to relive some good memories again.

“There are always three or four special moments in a season that gives you the chance to believe in your own quality and gel even more together. That Northampton game was one of those and hopefully we can have another.”

Town head into today’s game on the back of a profitable few days on the road after claiming wins at Barnet and Morecambe.

Northampton are in good form themselves, having lost just one of their previous eight games but will come to the County Ground determined to collect three points that will move them that bit closer to guaranteeing their League Two status for next season.

“This will be the toughest one, especially if we do not approach the game in the right way,” added Di Canio.

“They will come to the County Ground for points, they will fight with maybe Adebayo Akinfenwa up front by himself.

“If we are not on fire in the way we attack the space and move the ball then it will be very tough.”

Town have often found it difficult to break down sides who try to prevent Swindon from playing their own game, with the likes of Hereford, Bradford and more recently Bristol Rovers having all left Wiltshire with a point.

And Di Canio knows he and his players must be prepared to deal with a Northampton side who will be determined to disrupt the Robins.

“It is very difficult because if we do not keep the tempo or have the desire then it will be like it was against Bradford or Hereford, even though we are a different side now,” Di Canio said.

“We play better against the teams who come to the County Ground to play football because if we play our game we are always able to take advantage of this.

“However, it will not be an easy game.”

Lee Holmes, Ronan Murray, Nathan Thompson and John Bostock will all be pushing for starts while Di Canio could opt to bring Matt Ritchie back into the side, with the winger having sat out the last two games with injury.

Today is likely to be too soon for skipper Paul Caddis (ankle) to return, with Saturday’s visit of Plymouth a more realistic target for the Scot.