A YOUTHFUL Swindon Town struggled to deal with Chippenham Town’s forward-thinking nature at Hardenhuish Park last night, losing 2-0.

An early header from Nick McCootie was matched by Dean Evans’ second half lob as Mark Collier’s men became the second team to get the better of Phil Brown’s side this season following Saturday’s loss to West Bromwich Albion.

Brown opted to field an inexperienced Swindon side with most of the first team expected to feature against Benfica today (11.30am) in a behind-closed-doors match at St George’s Park.

Chippenham made the most of Town’s sluggish start to take an early lead when Nick McCootie scored from Josh Smile’s accurate cross.

Swindon almost immediately equalised when Jordan Young was denied only by the post when shooting from 40 yards out.

Young’s effort rattled the post with the rebound eventually smothered by Chippenham goalkeeper Will Puddy..

Swindon were granted an opportunity to equalise following a foul the edge of the 18-yard box. Regular free kick taker Scott Twine stepped aside, allowing the returning Dion Conroy to take. But his effort was blasted over Puddy’s crossbar.

Chippenham almost doubled their lead on 40 minutes when Curtis McDonald’s header from a corner had to be cleared off the line by Swindon right back James Dunne.

Phil Brown made one change at half time as Dion Conroy made way for Anthony Cheshire in the back four.

Chippenham forward Nat Jarvis came close to going one-on-one with Will Henry after losing his marker Luke Haines when making a forward run.

Jarvis’ touch was heavy, granting Swindon time to reshape in the box. That didn’t stop Evans latching onto Jarvis’ cross, which Henry comfortably saved.

Jordan Edwards almost scored a superb solo effort goal having received the ball in his own area before advancing towards Chippenham’s goal.

Edwards stepped inside his marker before sending his ambitious shot just wide of Puddy’s left post.

Chippenham were denied a second goal when Will Henry made himself big in front of Nat Jarvis to pull off a reaction save.

Henry was called upon again minutes later when Dean Evans’ volley from a cross was bound for Swindon’s top corner.

The Swindon stopper superbly tipped Evans’ strike wide though, denying the winger what would’ve been a spectacular goal.

Evans continued to cause Swindon problems when his through ball to Alex Ferguson couldn’t quite be reached by the home side’s number seven.

Evans was struck a deserved goal 10 minutes from time after being fed the ball in space on the right. He delicately chipped the ball over Henry, who was caught off his line, into the top corner of Swindon’s goal – doubling Chippenham’s lead.

The hosts appeared more than happy to play out the concluding 10 minutes, denying Swindon any real goalscoring opportunity.