Swindon Town

FABIEN Robert’s goal was the difference for Town in a 1-0 win at Southend.

The midfielder’s third goal in as many games was enough to seal all three points and an away win for visitors.

Mark Cooper stuck with the same starting XI that had drawn with Port Vale in midweek, with Michael Smith keeping his place as the focal point of the attack.

On a sweltering day at Roots Hall, with temperatures nearing 30 degrees Celcius, there was little of note to report in the first forty-five minutes.

Town skipper Nathan Thompson was withdrawn as early as the tenth minute with an injury – Drissa Traore his replacement.

Nathan Byrne saw an early shot kept out while, at the other end, Noel Hunt headed wide of Vigouroux’s goal and David Worrall lashed an effort wide.

As the game drifted towards half time, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill’s neat bit of skill forged a bit of room to whip in a cross. Fabien Robert met the ball in but could only head it wide. The Frenchman also curled wide before the half was over.

Vigouroux was called into action early in the second half, grabbing the ball at the second attempt after Hunt’s initial effort had been kept out.

Minutes later, the hosts should have taken the lead. Town lost the ball in midfield and when the ball was eventually knocked down for the waiting Jack Payne in the box, the Southend man steered his shot wide of goal.

Just after the hour mark, Town made the breakthrough thanks to an incisive counter-attack. Jordan Williams brought the ball into midfield and fed Byrne. The winger then drove forward and slid a pass into the path of Fabien Robert who applied the finish.

With their tails up, Town sought a second: Byrne found himself acres of space to drive into but could only drag wide from the edge of the box after beating the defender in attendance.

Vigouroux then produced a magnificent reaction save to keep out Myles Weston’s close-range header before easily pouching Ben Coker’s long-range drive.

In stoppage time, Vigouroux found another top-drawer save to beat out Joe Pigott’s thundering drive.