IT'S a long time since Swindon Town last amassed five away wins before the end of October, writes Peter Mitchell.

On Saturday at Field Mill – which incidentally claims to be the oldest professional football ground in the world – Town easily defeated Mansfield 3-1.

Swindon dominated throughout apart from the last couple of minutes and played attractive, controlled football.

They lined up with two changes from last weekend – wide men Woolery and Gordon being replaced by Johnny Goddard and Paul Mullin.

Once again a large contingent of Town fans made the long trip.

Town got off to an explosive start when after a foul on Mullin down the right, another pinpoint free kick into the box by Matt Taylor was put away by Amine Linganzi.

Swindon came close on a couple of other occasions before skipper Olly Lancashire made a great saving tackle inside the six-yard box in the 26th minute.

Town's dominance was clearly frustrating Mansfield boss Steve Evans as he received a warning from the referee.

On the half-hour mark Town goalie Reice Charles-Cook was called upon for the first time. Hitherto rock solid Matt Preston actually missed a header and Charles-Cook was forced into a good save from Jimmy Spencer.

With half-time looming Swindon struck again; a lovely lay-off by Luke Norris on the edge of the Mansfield box enabled Taylor to make a telling pass to Goddard who calmly slotted it home.

Mullin, sticking to his wide right position, was proving to be a real handful for the home defenders.

Soon after the restart Mansfield came close to pulling one back when Preston let in the powerful Lee Angol whose point blank shot was well saved by Charles-Cook.

After 52 minutes Town got a bonus when the referee awarded them what appeared to be a soft penalty after Mansfield defender Krystian Pearce was adjudged to have impeded Keshi Anderson.

Norris converted coolly to give Swindon what appeared to be an unassailable three-goal lead.

Halfway through the second half we were treated to an impressive display of possession passing by the Town when, mainly orchestrated by Linganzi, more than 20 passes were strung together.

Steve Evans was getting even more agitated and was spoken to again by officials 15 minutes from the end – as visiting supporters chanted unkindly about his height and shape.

Charles-Cook's kicking which had been exemplary in the first half seemed to go to pot in the second period, and he blotted his copybook in injury time when a poor low clearance led to Danny Rose getting a late consolation.

With almost the last kick, Preston made a superb tackle to prevent a second for Mansfield.

Swindon did seem to lose focus a little towards the end, feeling the job had been done.

There were good displays throughout the team but Purkiss, Taylor and Mullin deserved special credit.

This was another excellent away day for the Town which moves them up to eighth place. With two home games to come in the next few days they really have a chance now to show they are realistic contenders.

Mansfield were disappointing and on this showing it is hard to see how they were among the pre-season League Two favourites.

HARRY SMITH, whose father is believed to be unwell, has returned to Millwall temporarily cutting short his season-long loan spell.

Meanwhile, Tom Smith (no relation) has joined National League South club Bath City on loan for a month.