In the first 20 minutes Swindon could have scored 4 of 5 goals with a 40 yard shot from Mooney also going just wide, and Rushden cleared 2 Swindon chances with goal line clearance.
Swindon were however 2-0 up after only 17 minutes when Rushden's Andy Burgess's hand balled in the box, and was shown a yellow card. Andy Gurney took the penalty and sent the goal keeper the wrong way to make the scores 2-0 to Swindon.
The score remained at 2-0 going into the half time break, with Rushden starting to get back in the game.
On 53 minutes Swindon scored again, but it was at the wrong end as Alan Reeves put the ball into his own net to give Rushden a chance at a come back.
Rushden looked like the might get another goal to equalise, as Swindon sat back and didn't look like they would finish the game off.
Rhys Evans was forced to make a save to keep Swindon in the lead, but instead of using his hands he seemed to try and chest the powerful shot away, leaving him winded and needing treatment, but minutes later Evans proved he was back to full fitness by making another good save.
David Duke restored Swindon's 2 goal lead on 76 minutes with a shot from 12 yards following an Andy Nicholas throwing. This was Duke's first gaol for 10 months.
Within 2 minutes Rushden were back in the game with a goal from close range from Kitson.
In the last few minutes of injury time Swindon made sure of the win when Rory Fallon scored from close range when Rushden were unable to clear from a goal lien scramble. It's still unclear if the goal will be awarded to Fallon, or be shown as an own goal.
Overall a good and important win for Swindon, but they should have finished off the game earlier rather than giving Rushden a chance to come back into it. Even up to the last few minutes it looked like Rushden might have been able to force a draw out of the game.
Swindon's next game in next Saturday away at Stcokport. Last season Swindon beat Stockport 5-2.