SWINDON 1 CITY 1

NOW to annoy Swindon for the second time this week.

Having stunned the League Two leaders with Shay McCartan’s late wonder strike, Gary Bowyer can really stick the knife in by snatching Eoin Doyle back.

All the pre-match hype, from the Wiltshire end at least, had centred on how City can most effectively fit the Irishman into their team.

Maybe the topic should shift to how Swindon will potentially cope without the man who has delivered precisely half of their 46 goals.

Because on Saturday’s evidence, they look pretty toothless without him.

Playing a fifth game in a fortnight may not have provided the truest reflection on the teams currently occupying first and fourth in the division.

Fatigue inevitably played a part in a scrappy contest that – the McCartan free-kick apart – never hit the heights of its lofty billing.

But while travelling supporters are battle-hardened to City’s pragmatic approach, they will have wondered what all the fuss was about with Swindon.

No Doyle, no cutting edge judging by this display as the Bantams back four enjoyed a stress-free afternoon for the most part.

Gary Bowyer was typically keeping his cards close to his chest when quizzed about how the Doyle scenario will unfold in the coming days.

It technically remains covered by a cloak of confidentially as agreed by the clubs when the deal was done in August.

But his Swindon counterpart Richie Wellens went against that on Friday with his public confirmation that there was indeed a “breakout” clause that can be activated this week.

The amateur psychologists among the Bantam fanbase may wonder why he should suddenly choose to break cover and broadcast the news that we all strongly suspected.

Was it an admission on his part that Swindon lack the financial muscle to offer the sort of package that would tempt City to let the league’s leading goal-scorer stay put for the remainder of the campaign?

Was he effectively softening the blow for what he expects to be announced shortly – particularly with his follow-up comment after the game that Swindon will “respect” whatever City decide?

After weeks of smoke and mirrors, the picture will finally become clear before the next round of matches. And it needs to so that everyone, Doyle included, know exactly where they stand.

He had wisely steered well clear of this tug-of-war for his services, his wife Ciara sharing a picture as proof that he was tucked up at home with the kids while battle commenced at the County Ground.

But inevitably, it was his name that was sung lustily throughout.

Swindon’s repertoire ranged from the predictable “he would have scored that” to the basic “he doesn’t really like you” – or sentiments to that effect.

City’s travelling band of just over 400, a surprisingly low figure, countered with their own rendition that “he’s coming home.”

The pantomime feel of the afternoon only increased when a youthful local decided to invade the pitch and drop his trousers in front of the away section.

But the real bum note for his team was to come much later.

With all the fuss about Dublin’s “Ginger Pele”, nobody thought to mention Newry’s “Irish Ronaldo”.

It was a City man from north of the border who would steal the headlines and ensure his side returned from the first of three January long hauls with at least some reward that their efforts had warranted.

Those watching events from the comfort of their own front room would have enjoyed the build-up to McCartan’s special moment as described on Sky’s Soccer Saturday.

Clinton Morrison, the former Republic of Ireland striker, was tasked with keeping an eye on the action as part of Jeff Stelling’s panel and his commentary only added to the drama.

Having dismissively compared McCartan’s stance and run up to Cristiano Ronaldo, the TV pundit was then made to eat his words as the free-kick arced majestically into the top corner of the net.

Watch: Here's the moment Clinton Morrison was left "eating his words"

It was a sumptuous hit, even more so considering how long we have waited for McCartan to deliver the dead-ball goods.

He had earned a reputation as one of the best in the business in the lower leagues after a prolific time at Accrington. But two-and-a-half years after his Valley Parade move, this was finally his first when it mattered for City.

Richard O’Donnell was the butt of a few in-house jokes later about the number of times McCartan had stuck free-kicks past him in practice. But this was for real – and well worth such a wait.

Swindon has traditionally been a barren land for City ambitions. Their four previous visits had all been for nothing – the last away win back in November 2005 when the veteran duo of Dean Windass and Steve Claridge did the damage.

So a point, particularly against a Swindon team currently seeing off all-comers, represented a welcome return.

And don’t be fooled into thinking this was a smash-and-grab draw just because of the late timing of the equaliser.

For the first 20 minutes, it had threatened to become a familiar story.

City began sloppily and off the pace and trailed early after Lloyd Isgrove’s cross smacked against the left arm of Connor Wood.

Referee Darren Drysdale infuriated both teams at times but there was no disputing the validity of the penalty claim.

With no Doyle to be put on the spot, it was left to strike partner Jerry Yates to dispatch to raise his own personal goal tally to 11.

But by the midway point of the half the Bantams began to emerge from their shell after Chris Taylor, one of two changes from New Year’s Day, carved his way through two tackles before shooting past the post.

Doyle “would have scored that” taunted the home end; Taylor “should have scored that” commented Bowyer.

It did act as a wake-up call, though, and Anthony O’Connor jabbed against the post from a corner before the half was out.

Going into the second half, it was Swindon growing uncertain as City sensed a way back.

Callum Cooke and Matty Palmer took control in midfield, although the on-loan Rotherham man was guilty of wasting a big chance when he fired over after being set up by Dylan Connolly.

But then Aramide Oteh and Adam Henley were both bundled over outside the Swindon D. Even Drysdale could not resist the claims for a foul on at least one count.

Up stepped McCartan and the County Ground narrative had a different Irishman at the forefront.

There was still time for Swindon to go down to 10 as Jordan Lyden was shown a straight red for scything into Adam Henley.

But it was the one they were short of up front that had made the real impact.