Powell’s 77th-minute stunner was the decisive moment as the hunt for three points on the road continues for Ian Holloway’s side.
The former Blackpool boss made nine changes to the starting eleven which took on Crystal Palace U21s in midweek.
The Reds started the encounter positively, and the first chance of the game arrived in the 6th minute when a corner was headed clear to the awaiting Joseph Hungbo, who fired narrowly over from 18 yards out.
Kelly N’Mai, who looked sharp from the off for the hosts, powered a right-footed effort towards goal in the 15th minute, but Stephan Negru blocked superbly to deny the Ammies winger.
N’Mai was involved once again ten minutes later, linking up with Taylor Allen who delivered a delicious ball across the face of the Town goal from the left channel, but thankfully nobody was there to connect.
Town responded two minutes later when Hungbo unleashed a right-footed curling effort from distance which deflected just wide of the left post.
Salford’s danger player, N’Mai, continued to ask questions of the Swindon backline in the 33rd minute, driving into the box before cutting the ball back for Brendan Wiredu, whose low effort was once again well blocked by Negru.
The Mancunian club continued to apply the pressure, with Macauley Langstaff blasting over the bar from a difficult angle on the stroke of half-time as Town entered the interval level.
The Robins had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 52nd minute. Hungbo dispossessed Adebola Oluwo before feeding Aaron Drinan, whose low close-range attempt looked destined for the bottom left corner; however, Will Norris produced an outstanding stop to divert the ball round the post.
Connor Ripley was forced into his first save of the afternoon in the 56th minute, comfortably gathering Allen’s left-footed attempt after more good work from N’Mai.
Ripley was called into action again, saving well to deny Joe Powell’s whipped free kick in the 72nd after Dan Udoh rolled Ollie Clarke, earning him a yellow card in the process.
The deadlock would be broken in the 77th minute, however, when Powell arrowed a swirling strike from long-range into the top left corner past the helpless Ripley to give the hosts the lead.
Powell almost doubled his tally deep into stoppage time, but Ripley produced a smart low reaction stop to the right to conclude a frustrating afternoon on the road.
Starting XI: Ripley, Negru, Ball (Debayo 61’), Clarke (Kirkman 80’), Glatzel (Hackford 69’), Hungbo (Nichols 61’), Majekodunmi (Butterworth 80’), Drinan, Thomson, Butler, Munda
Unused: Ward, Pearman
Entertainment Swindon 
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