Swindon Town - 0
Colchester United - 1 (Rose '70)
Town have been beaten 1-0 by Colchester United at The County Ground, their second home league defeat of the season.
A Michael Rose free-kick 20 minutes from time was enough to send the U’s back to Essex with all three points.
Having made six changes for the win at Shrewsbury on Saturday, Paolo Di Canio made four changes for the visit of Colchester. In came Troy Archibald-Henville, Alan Navarro, Tommy Miller and Paul Benson. Darren Ward and James Collins dropped to the bench where there was also a place for John Bostock.
Town started brightly: Andy Williams’ clever turn on the edge of the area created a one-on-one chance but Mark Cousins was out quickly to smother the ball. Meanwhile, Anthony Wordsworth’s long range effort at the other end only just cleared the crossbar.
The game then descended into an altogether more attritional affair with little in the way of clear-cut opportunities for either side. Both teams continued to probe but with no end product. Town’s most memorable effort came shortly before the half time whistle: A break from the back finished with Raffaele De Vita’s effort bouncing over the angle of bar and post.
The second half was equally as frustrating for the home side. Town had to wait until the hour mark to create another half-chance. Substitute James Collins’ toe-poke goalwards from De Vita’s knockdown lacked the power to trouble Cousins before Ritchie dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.
With 20 minutes to play, the visitors took the lead. Former Town left-back Michael Rose’s low free kick bent round the wall and found the bottom corner of Foderingham’s net.
They might have doubled their lead moments later but substitute Freddie Sears fired into the side netting. Despite a late rally, Town couldn’t find the crucial breakthrough.
With the winning momentum now halted, Town must pick themselves up ahead of their trip to Bury at the weekend.
Swindon Town: Wes Foderingham; Federico Bessone, Alan McCormack(C), Troy Archibald-Henville, Jay McEveley; Matt Ritchie, Tommy Miller, Alan Navarro, Raffaele De Vita; Paul Benson, Andy Williams
Subs: Leigh Bedwell(GK), Joe Devera, Simon Ferry, Darren Ward, James Collins, John Bostock, Adam Rooney
Colchester United: Mark Cousins, Michael Rose, Magnus Okuonghae, Jabo Ibehre, Marcus Bean, Tom Eastman, Brian Wilson, Gavin Massey, Anthony Wordsworth (C), Craig Eastmond, Sanchez Watt
