SWINDON Town missed the chance to move back into the League One play-off places after going down 2-0 at bottom side Stevenage this evening.

Lucas Akins profited after Alex Pritchard failed to control keeper Wes Foderingham’s quick throw to drive the ball into the corner to give the hosts the lead at the break, before Felipe Morais scored from the spot in the second period to seal the victory.

Town boss Mark Cooper kept faith with the starting eleven which beat Peterborough at the weekend, but the Robins found themselves on the back foot for the opening minutes before Yaser Kasim lashed the first real chance of the game over the top for Town.

Nile Ranger saw a shot blocked and then headed the rebound into the arms of Chris Day as Town exerted some pressure, but it looked as if the hosts had taken the lead when Zoko beat Foderingham to a cross to head into the net. To the Robins’ relief, he was flagged offside.

Pritchard struck the bar and then saw a shot blocked behind, but Town soon found themselves behind. Foderingham claimed a Luke Freeman cross well and hurled the ball out to an under-pressure Pritchard whose heavy touch eventually landed at the feet of Akins, and the striker did the rest as he drilled low into the back of the net.

Town were unable to respond before the break and was soon behind after the interval when Morais found the net from the spot after Hall dragged down Zoko.

Cooper introduced new signing George Barker for his debut and pacey forward Miles Story but neither of the youngsters were able to produce the magic required to drag Town back into the contest.

Walsall’s win at home to Oldham tonight sees them move above both Town and Peterborough and into sixth place.