Swindon suffered a 3-0 defeat at home against promotion-chasing Barrow on Saturday afternoon.
There was just the one change in the side from last week’s away defeat against Wimbledon as Charlie Austin replaced defender Frazer Blake-Tracy.
Goals from Kian Spence, Sam Foley and James Chester sealed the win for Barrow as Swindon suffered their third home league defeat of the season.
Neither team had created any real chances within the first six minutes but Barrow midfielder Kian Spence decided to test his luck from range, but his rising effort went wide of the left post.
After a cagey start, the Bluebirds had themselves a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the area but Spence’s shot was too low and hit the wall, posing no threat to Murphy Mahoney in goal.
It was Swindon’s turn to have a free kick in a good area, but Dan Kemp’s well-struck effort skimmed off the top of the Barrow wall and went out for a corner.
The not very lively start continued but Pete Wild’s side broke the deadlock to take the lead in the 34th minute with a well-executed set-piece routine.
David Worrall took the free kick just after Elliot Newby feinted over the top of the ball, which fell to unmarked midfielder Spence on the outside of the box who thumped it first time into the bottom left corner.
Swindon were looking to find an equaliser before half-time and after a few passes outside the area, Kemp found himself with the ball and attempted a curled effort with his weaker right foot, but it took a deflection, resulting in a corner.
Half-Time: Swindon Town 0 Barrow AFC 1
It was a quiet first 10 minutes in the second half, but George McEachran crossed a brilliant ball into the box that reached Charlie Austin's head, but Paul Farman parried his header away.
Barrow found their second despite pressure from Swindon as Sam Foley converted a header past Mahoney at the back-post after a great cross from Worrall in the 58th minute.
McEachran and Austin doubled up again in a similar situation as before but the Swindon captain slipped in an attempt to reach the ball which meant his effort rolled wide.
14 minutes after their second goal, Barrow had a third as Newby’s free-kick was headed home by former Premier League centre-back James Chester.
It was a quiet end to the game for Michael Flynn’s team as they failed to create any real chances late on into the tie, meaning it ended 3-0 to the away side.
Swindon Town: Mahoney, Hutton, McEachran (Genesini 74’), Young (Dworzak 81’), Khan, Kemp, Kokolo, Godwin-Malife, Kinsella, Minturn, Austin (C)
Subs not used: L.Ward, Fox, Obodo, Alston, Hutt
Barrow AFC: Farman, Ray, Canavan (C), Worrall (Campbell 84’), Spence, Newby, White (Feely 84’), Foley (Gotts 74’), Chester, Telford (Garner 62’), Acquah (Whitfield 84’)
Goals: Spence 34’, Foley 58’, Chester 73’
Subs not used: Lillis
Attendance: 7,463 (133 away)
