Colchester United 3 v Swindon Town 1

For over an hour Swindon played like real promotion contenders, were well in control and certainly a point looked safe, writes Peter Mitchell.

We were all set for a great result against Colchester, who were unbeaten in the league since mid-October. Then everything seemed to go sour from the moment the hosts brought on two ex-Town strikers – first Frank Nouble, followed a couple of minutes later by Luke Norris.

With a third ex-Swindon striker, Theo Robinson, already on the pitch, the Town were bracing themselves for a real aerial bombardment.

First Norris got the equaliser with a low header, after the ball had been headed back from the by line. Then in the final 5 minutes, Town capitulated totally with Robinson notching two more for Colchester.

Hugely disappointing, especially as the Town could easily have had a deserved a three-goal lead by the hour mark. Their one goal came after another superb, defence splitting pass, from Michael Doughty was finished off by Diallang Jaiyesimi. The way Swindon were playing it was hard to believe this would be their only goal.

However, it was not to be, and in the end Colchester’s strength in depth on the bench, together with their superior height and muscle up front, won the points.

Kaiyne Woolery was the main culprit in Town’s attack. His conversion rate of chances to goals, and completing successful crosses, is just not good enough. Once again, he had golden opportunities that were wasted.

Rumours are rife that Jerry Yates will be returning from Rotherham this week. Following goal machine Eoin Doyle’s omission from Bradford’s latest match squad, there is also speculation that the Town have worked out a deal for his return as well. If these things happen, coupled with the arrival of a new loan addition from Leicester City, Swindon would be spoiled for choice and have no excuses whatsoever for slipping up on the run in.

Town now need to concentrate on Saturday’s big game when they entertain second place Exeter. The crazy nature of results in this division were highlighted when Exeter, unbeaten in eleven games, lost their midweek game at Port Vale – a team that had looked barely good enough to be in the league when Swindon played them just three days before.