Town were unable to claim a second successive victory in the Sky Bet League One after going down 3-1 to in-form Northampton Town at The County Ground this evening.
It was the worst possible start for the home side who found themselves a goal down inside the opening ten-minutes courtesy of Harry Beautyman’s close-range effort.
However, the Reds didn’t let that early set-back faze them and proceeded to pepper the visiting goal with a flurry of efforts.
Although they didn’t get on the scoresheet before the break, Town did haul themselves level just past the hour mark thanks to Sean Murray’s well-taken effort.
But there was to be no blockbuster ending for the hosts as Northampton restored their lead through John-Joe O’Toole, before Kenji Gorre wrapped up the points.
Town Head Coach Luke Williams made just the one change to his Starting XI with Luke Norris replacing Nathan Delfouneso, who dropped to the bench.
And there was good news too for the hosts with Sean Murray recovering from a bruised foot to take his place amongst the subs.
Both teams entered the game full of confidence following good wins last time out, but it was the visitors who drew first blood after Harry Beautyman put the finishing touches to Paul Anderson’s well-worked cross.
Town attempted to hit right back through Darnell Furlong who sent an effort straight at Adam Smith in the away goal, before Nathan Thompson hammered a venomous effort just over the bar.
And the hosts went even closer bang on the twenty-minute mark following some determined play. Conor Thomas brilliantly won back possession inside Northampton’s half before threading through a pinpoint ball into the path of Jon Obika, who saw his rasping drive parried out for a corner by Smith.
Town continued to press the issue and should have hauled themselves level just shy of the half-hour mark. Smith did brilliantly to deny both John Goddard and Obika in quick succession before the latter and Thomas saw their goal-bound efforts blocked by a crowd of Northampton bodies.
Luke Norris then did well to create something out of nothing but his long-range effort only warmed the palms of Smith, before Thompson produced a superb last-ditch tackle at the other end to prevent Sam Hoskins from pulling the trigger.
The Reds started where they left off in the second-half but were still unable to find a breakthrough with Furlong flashing an effort inches wide.
Sean Murray had replaced Lloyd Jones at the interval and was able to put his expertise at set-pieces to good use, but Town were unable to make a string of corners count.
But the former Watford man did make a meaningful impact moments later after latching onto a ball outside the area before lashing home the equaliser.
However, that would be as good as it would get for the Robins with the Cobblers soon restoring their lead.
Shortly after Furlong flashed a shot inches wide, John-Joe O’Toole rose highest to emphatically head home from a dangerous delivery from Taylor.
And it only got worse for Town after second-half substitute Kenji Gorre was presented with the easiest of finishes to extend Northampton’s lead, with the home side left furious the referee didn’t stop play for what looked like a foul on Goddard.
Town huffed and puffed but they couldn’t get back into the game with both Furlong and Murray unable to put away late chances.
Swindon are next back in action when they head to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
TEAMS AND STATS:
SWINDON TOWN 1-3 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
SCORERS –Harry Beautyman (07), Sean Murray (66), John-Joe O’Toole (76), Kenji Gorre (82).
SWINDON TOWN –Vigouroux; Rossi-Branco, N Thompson (C), Jones (Sean Murray 45); Furlong, Kasim, Thomas, Goddard, Ormonde-Ottewill; Obika, Norris (Nathan Delfouneso 87).
Subs Not Used –Henry, Smith, Rodgers, Iandolo, Hylton.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN –Smith; Moloney, Diamond, Zakuani, Buchanan (C); Anderson (Kenji Gorre 71), O’Toole, Taylor; Hoskins (Lewin Nyatanga 90), Revell, Beautyman (JJ Hooper 73).
Subs Not Used –Cornell, Byrom, Sonupe, Richards.
REFEREE –Brett Huxtable.
BOOKINGS:
TOWN –John Goddard.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN –Matt Taylor.
ATTENDANCE –6,590 (433 AWAY FANS)
