Wigan Athletic-Swindon thriller 'was fitting tribute to Alan McLoughlin'

Before the game, both sets of players took part in a minute's applause to remember the Republic of Ireland hero, as well as wearing armbands to show their respect.

And McLoughlin would surely have enjoyed the entertainment on offer as Swindon came from 3-1 down on the hour to sneak a 4-3 success.

"As much as you can get down about football, when something like that happens, it does give you a perspective," said Town goalkeeping coach Steve Mildenhall who was sent out to conduct media duties.

"I was fortunate enough to know Macca for a long time, when I made my debut, he was playing for Portsmouth.

"It's been a desperately difficult week for the club, and obviously for his family and especially his daughters.

"It was fitting to have the minute's applause, and the players wearing their armbands to show their respect.

"There isn't enough time to adequately describe how good a person he was."

Despite ending the campaign on a high, Swindon will kick-off next season in League Two having already been relegated from the third tier.

"Look, any wins are good to have, on the last day of the season," Mildenhall added.

"For me, personally, it was very important for us to finish with a win.

"Yes, we know we were down, but one thing we didn't want to do was come bottom of this league which we haven't.

"We've finished with a win and we've not finished bottom, but obviously we're still very disappointed with where we are.

"It's hard to put into words this year, and the things that have happened.

"What we can say is it's been a very, very, very disappointing and frustrating season."

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