Substitute Connell slotted home his twelfth goal of the season in the 85th minute to edge the Robins closer to League One, but his winner was overshadowed by news of the death of his manager's mother, Pierina, on Friday night.
Other results prevented Swindon from clinching promotion, but Connell said:
"The manager is an emotional and passionate man and promotion celebrations would have been very low key in the circumstances."
And the former Ipswich striker revealed that di Canio's loss had brought back memories of his own mother's death. He said:
"We knew his mum was sadly very close to passing away. I've been there myself unfortunately, three years ago, and it's the worst time of anyone's life. I understand what he's going through, it's difficult. I think of my mum often and it was quite surreal to think I might have helped someone in that situation, having been there myself. I hope he takes some comfort from the fact that we won the game and are on the brink of promotion, but it brings it back for me as well."
Di Canio wore a black armband during the game and left to be with his family in Italy immediately after the final whistle.
Swindon's Interim Chairman Jeremy Wray explained:
"Paolo sadly got the news on Friday night that his mother had passed away. I think it says a lot about the character of the man that he was able to lead the team following such sad news. He was obviously very emotional, but he was determined to see the game through."
Di Canio's father, Ignazio, died days before the away fixture at Plymouth last October and Wray continued:
"It's extraordinary. Very sad. His mother has been ill for some time and Paolo managed to fly out to see her on Wednesday before flying back to take training on Thursday and watch the game which shows what a consummate professional he is. I have told him to take as much time as he needs. He is the consummate professional and I am sure he will have been pleased with the efforts of the players."
It was a day of very mixed emotions at the County Ground after skipper Alan McCormack was called away Just before kick-off to be with his wife who gave birth to a baby girl during the afternoon.
But McCormack didn't miss too much action on the pitch in what was an uneventful affair. Swindon had the better chances in a poor first half.
In the sixth minute striker Paul Benson out jumped the Argyle defence to meet a cross from full back Paul Caddis, but saw his header fly off the top of the bar. Central defender
Aden Flint and midfielder Simon Ferry also came close before the break. Swindon substitute Jonathan Smith fired just wide five minutes before Connell's goal and Rooney had an appeal for handball waved away, but the lack of quality on the pitch mattered little by the end of the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Plymouth boss Carl Fletcher has targeted next weekend's game against Oxford for the three points needed to guarantee survival. He said:
"It's in our hands' that's a pleasing thing - we win next week and it takes care of itself. That's a great incentive to us this week - to go into next week's game at home with the opportunity to be mathematically safe. We'll be looking forward to it."
My clipping from Sunday
My report from Monday's paper
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