Salford’s mentality cheers Karl Robinson as they win in front of David Beckham

Karl Robinson credited his Salford players for their mentality after they battled to a late 3-2 victory over high-flying Swindon in Sky Bet League Two.

Swindon, who began the day as leaders after five successive wins, fell behind after four minutes when Jorge Grant struck a sublime half-volley into the top corner from range to open his Salford account in front of watching co-owner David Beckham.

The hosts scored a second 15 minutes later when Kadeem Harris latched onto a ball forward and curled past goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

Aaron Drinan reduced the visitors’ deficit with a powerful header after half-time, as the division’s top scorer took his tally to seven goals.

Centre-back Jamie Knight-Lebel forced the ball over the line folllowing a goalline scramble at a corner, to draw Swindon level with seven minutes remaining and set up a grandstand finish.

And, in the first minute of stoppage time, Kallum Cesay tapped in the winner from close range, reacting quickest after goalkeeper Connor Ripley saved Jay Bird’s header.

Robinson said: “The philosophy of the football club is we want to end up winning at all costs. We are never going to pass up an opportunity to win.

“When you’re drawing, you’re not winning, so why not fight for that? I’d rather fight for something than lose it without trying, and that is what our players did.

“We’re here to entertain, and we’re here to win as many games as we possibly can.

“We are starting to build momentum and we’ve scored three goals in each of our last three games.

On Cesay, Robinson added: “Kallum has worked so hard and deserves his goal. But just seeing people’s faces behind me in the stands, the elation, just what we can do for people’s lives.

“We speak constantly about emotions and why sport is so great. Luck was on our side today, while their fans will be going back home very disappointed.”

Swindon boss Ian Holloway was frustrated with his side’s poor performance in the first half, but saw positives in their performance after the break.

He said: “In the second half you saw us play, whereas in the first half we just lumped it.

“You need to be brave enough to play against anyone, even if it leads to us making a couple of mistakes.

“I want us to understand our identity. After putting Olly Palmer into the line-up the players seem to think that we can go long and hit him on the head but that is not how we play.

“We must play the way we want our identity to look like. They managed to stop us from doing that in the first half. I reminded them, changed it, switched it, and we got back in the game deservedly after half-time.

“I think we then got back in it deservedly as well. And then to let one in is harsh. We made a mistake, so well done to their (Salford’s) spirit, to their belief and how well things are going for them at the moment.”