PHIL Brown revealed ‘one or two’ Swindon Town players failed to pass the test against Exeter today after he watched his side slip to a 3-1 defeat at St James’ Park.

Kaiyne Woolery put Town ahead before a trio of goals from Jake Taylor, Pierce Sweeney and Jay Stockley wrapped up a convincing win for the home side.

And Brown admitted more than one member of his team thought they had ‘cracked it’ when going a goal up against the Grecians, before the home side fought back to put three past Stuart Moore. 

He said: “That test came along today and I don’t think everyone passed it.

“I’ll keep it in house regarding the ones I thought failed but character has to be shown on every occasion.

“Players have to wear the shirt with pride and put their bodies on the line.

“Harsh but truthful words were said after the game. And if the players don’t listen to those words, I don’t want them in my dressing room.

“I’ve seen both sides to the team now, and lots of work still has to be done.

“There are eight games to go and we still have a foot hole in the competition.

“We need to be back to our best for Friday’s game against Morecombe.”

Brown added strong words were said after the full time whistle after he was left disappointed by the successful ‘bullying’ tactics of City’s striker Jay Stockley.

“Our two centre halves were bullied by their striker,” said Brown.

“I know he was down in the second half but he played the game well and dictated both of them. I don’t want that.

“Honestly I thought one or two took their foot off the gas.

“We won last week and went a goal up and one or two thought ‘we’ve cracked this’.”

Despite being a goal down, Town enjoyed more time on the ball in the second half. But they were restricted to few chances as Town struggled to break down the home side’s back four.

Brown conceded his side lacked a clinical edge.

He added: “The turning point for me was the chance Marc (Richards) missed.

“We stayed in the game at 2-1 and were waiting for that moment. But he hit it straight at the keeper.

“It’s important to go into half time in front or level.

“It was a poor penalty to concede. The goalkeeper got close to it, but it was well taken.”