SWINDON Town twice threw away a lead to lose 3-2 at Brentford in their Boxing Day clash.

The Robins went in front through Ryan Mason before Sam Saunders’ free-kick levelled matters in the first half, while Nicky Ajose restored Town’s advantage seven minutes into the second period.

However, Clayton Donaldson equalised with a diving header and Marcello Trotta won the game for the hosts when he made the most of hesitation between Darren Ward and Wes Foderingham to steer home the Bees’ third.

Town manager Mark Cooper made two changes to his starting line-up following the victory over Coventry five days earlier. Nathan Thompson was restored to right-back after recovering from a chest infection, with Nathan Byrne switching to the left and Jay McEveley dropping to the bench.

Yaser Kasim, who impressed as a second-half substitute against the Sky Blues, replaced Ryan Harley in the middle of midfield while Nile Ranger, who tweeted a picture of his Range Rover crashed into a lamppost on Christmas Day, started up front.

Ther Robins took the lead in the ninth minute through Mason, who collected Alex Pritchard’s pass to fire beneath David Button in the home goal.

Foderingham’s excellent leaping save prevented Saunders from providing Brentford with an instant reply via a 20-yard free-kick, but the Town stopper could do nothing to prevent Saunders from curling home a stunning set-piece in the 27th minute to level the game.

Foderingham kept out Trotta’s low drive in the dying moments of the first half, as the two teams went into the break level, and it was a critical stop as Swindon went back in front seven minutes into the second period.

Jonathan Douglas gifted the ball to Pritchard 25 yards from goal and, when Pritchard’s shot was deflected into the path on Ajose, the on-loan Peterborough frontman lapped up the chance with glee.

Swindon could barely hold onto their lead for three minutes, however, as Brentford quickly drew level.

Alan McCormack swung in a cross from the right and Donaldson, unmarked at the near post, placed his diving header beyond Foderingham.

Trotta should have put Brentford in front for the first time in the 64th minute but toe poked tamely at Foderingham after running past three Swindon players, but the Fulham man made amends at the first possible opportunity.

In the 70th minute Darren Ward and Foderingham left Douglas’s chipped pass to one another inside the six-yard box and Trotta stole in to guide the ball home.

Pritchard drew a good save out of Button from a dead ball as Swindon searched for a way back into the tie, while Adam Forshaw skewed a free-kick over from a similar position at the other end.