RECORD signing Dick Krzywicki began to pay back the £45,000 handed over to West Brom by pushing Town closer to promotion with two goals in as many games.

The Wales international, pictured, netted in a Tuesday night 1-1 draw with Swindon at Leeds Road.

Then he struck his side’s second in a 3-1 Saturday win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park which left Ian Greaves’ side eight points clear of second-placed Blackpool in the race for top-flight football.

Swindon were themselves in the chasing pack, and their visit to Leeds Road attracted a 24,854 crowd, Town’s second-highest so far.

They were richly entertained by a cracking contest in which Town began strongly before their visitors hit back to claim a deserved point.

Former Halifax goalkeeper Peter Downsborough was a key man in the opening stages.

He twice denied Frank Worthington and also saved from the busy Jimmy Lawson before being beaten in the 25th minute.

Lawson broke down the right and squeezed in an angled centre which deflected off Frank Burrows, hit the inside of the far post and rolled back into play for Krzywicki to mark his full Town debut by netting from close range.

The stage looked set for a home onslaught, but Swindon stunned home supporters by replying just seven minutes later.

They exploited an old Town failing by striking from a corner, Burrows shooting home after a Don Rogers’ flag kick was cleared to the edge of the penalty area.

Town had the better of the remainder, but Swindon defended with spirit, and were thankful when Jimmy McGill’s 61st-minute shot smacked against the bar.

Town took out their frustration on Portsmouth, who were no match for their visitors in front of a 17,326 crowd down in Hampshire.

Headers brought the first two goals, after nine and 23 minutes.

Worthington got the first from Trevor Cherry’s chip into the box and Krzywicki the second with a fine glancing effort from Jimmy Nicholson’s cross.

Bert McCann provided home hope with a 38th-minute reply, fired home from an acute angle.

But Town were soon back in control, and underlined their superiority with a third goal on 69 minutes, Roy Ellam forcing the ball home from close range after John Milkins parried a Lawson header.

Leeds Road staff, meanwhile, were able to shelve preparations to stage an FA Cup semi-final clash between Leeds and Manchester United.

The old rivals had already fought out two goalless draws at Old Trafford and Elland Road.That led to a second replay at Bolton, and Town had been put on stand-by to stage a third if it was needed.

Both Town boss Greaves and secretary Bill Brook were at Burnden Park to see Billy Bremner’s goal earn Leeds a final showdown with Chelsea.