Swindon Town got off to a winning start under Phil Brown this afternoon courtesy of a 3-1 victory away at Cambridge United in the Sky Bet League Two.

Luke Norris got his side off to the perfect start with a firm header inside the opening fifteen minutes, which proved to be the difference at the break.

Marc Richards added a second bang on the hour mark and, despite Uche Ikpeazu pulling one back, the Town Skipper was able to find the back of the net again to seal the points. 

There were two changes to the team that lost to Cheltenham last time out with Chris Hussey and Paul Mullin replacing Kyle Knoyle and Keshi Anderson in the Starting XI respectively.

Defender Ryan McGivern arrived at SN1 on a free transfer in the week and he was handed a place on the bench.

It was very much the start of a new era for Town with Phil Brown taking charge of his first game in charge since taking the reins on Monday.

With just ten games remaining, Brown will be tasked with guiding his side over the finishing line to promotion and he would have set his sights on getting his tenure off to a winning start.

There was a fairly even start to proceedings though with both sides creating the odd opening in-front of goal.

Brad Halliday's effort from distance brought a smart stop from Stuart Moore, before Luke Norris had a shot blocked at the other end following a superb break from Paul Mullin.

Jevani Brown was able to win back possession deep inside the visiting half and he opted to shoot, but his curled effort drifted wide of Moore's far post.

Mullin was next to try his luck as he warmed the palms of David Forde from way out, although Town's next foray forward would prove to be much more successful.

Chris Hussey, playing in his first game since September 2017, produced a perfect cross and Norris was on hand to head home the first goal of the Phil Brown regime. 

Hussey and Norris were able to combine again moments later with the former surging past his man before clipping a cross in, although the striker's header was this time claimed by Forde.

A Matty Taylor free-kick caught Forde out who ended up in no man's territory as Norris sent a header back across goal, although the keeper was able to get back in time to pluck Richards' effort out of the air.

Town looked to be in control but they had to be alert towards the end of the first-half as Cambridge attempted to find an equaliser.

They came close too with Gary Deegan slamming a half-volley into the chest of Moore after the defence failed to clear their lines.

And Town survived a scare right on the stroke of half-time with James Dunne heading an acrobatic effort from Billy Waters off the line, before Rollin Menayese threw himself in the way of a goal-bound shot.

Paul Mullin saw his shot deflected behind for a corner in what was the first action of the second-half, whilst Brown skewed a shot well wide at the other end. 

Town were dealt a blow just shy of the hour mark, however, as injury forced Norris off the field with Kaiyne Woolery his replacement. 

But that didn't halt their momentum and they were able to double their advantage with sixty-minutes played after Richards' nodded home from Taylor's free-kick.

Moore then did well to get his body in the way of Waters' well-struck effort, although he was unable to prevent Uche Ikpeazu from getting on the end of David Amoo's driven cross. 

That set-back prompted Town to make another change with Chris Hussey making way for Ryan McGivern, who was making his debut for the club.

And Town were able to stretch their lead late on with Richards hammering home from the penalty spot after Woolery was fouled inside the area.

There was still time for one more change with Kellan Gordon replacing Mullin, but there were to be no more goals as Town picked up a vital three points in-front of their new boss. 

TEAMS AND STATS:

SCORERS - Luke Norris (15), Marc Richards (60, 83), Uche Ikpeazu (73).

CAMBRIDGE UNITED (4-4-2) - Forde; Halliday, Taylor, Taft, Dunk; Deegan (C), O'Neil (Jabo Ibehre 72), Maris (David Amoo 57), Brown; Waters, Ikpeazu. 

SUBS - Mitov, Carroll, Legge, Elito, Lewis.

SWINDON TOWN (4-4-2) - Moore; Purkiss, Robertson, Menayese, Hussey (Ryan McGivern 77); Mullin (Kellan Gordon 86), Dunne, Elsnik, Taylor; Norris (Kaiyne Woolery 59), Richards (C).

SUBS - Henry, Knoyle, Twine, Anderson.

ATTENDANCE - 5,123 (506 Away Fans). 

REFEREE - Lee Swabey.