SIMON Cox believes Town could be heading for the right end of League One, after witnessing at first hand what Danny Wilson’s new-look side have to offer.

On his return to the County Ground following a £1.9million switch earlier this month, Cox was part of the West Bromwich Albion side comfortably beaten by an impressive Swindon display in last night’s pre-season friendly.

Captain Gordon Greer headed the only goal of the game midway through the first half to seal the victory which could, and should, have been greater had Billy Paynter, Sean Morrison, Lloyd Macklin or Jon-Paul McGovern taken any of a host of chances on offer.

Town’s line-up was much-changed from the one which narrowly avoided relegation last term, as new boys Alan O’Brien and Jonathan Douglas shone.

And Cox – kept quiet by a solid defensive display almost all night – is confident his former side have what it takes to mix it at the top of the division.

“I enjoyed the occasion. It was nice coming back and seeing old faces, new faces and people I’ve enjoyed working with for the last 18 months. I enjoyed it all, bar the game,” said the 22-year-old.

“The crowd were good tonight and came out to enjoy the occasion. It wasn’t anything to do with me, it was a game of football and just happened that I used to be a player here a few months back and was on the opposing side tonight.

“But the Swindon lads played really well. Danny’s got them playing some good stuff and the new signings look good. They should do really well under him.”

Town keeper David Lucas was called into action inside the opening minute due to the sheer tenacity of Cox, who chased down a lost cause on the touchline to dispossess skipper Greer and fed Robert Koren.

From there, Craig Beattie was slipped in inside the box, but Lucas was quick off his line to smother the ball at Beattie’s feet.

Swindon hit back almost immediately when Berlin Ndebe-Nlome, under pressure, fired wide.

West Brom should have opened the scoring on five minutes when Beattie fed the unmarked Filipe Teixeira on the right hand side of the box, but somehow the wide man pulled his effort the wrong side of the upright from close range.

On 20 minutes a well-worked corner saw Jean-Francois head over Douglas’ corner, while two minutes later Paynter was inches away from curling a 25-yard effort past Dean Kiely in the Baggies goal.

And Greer’s half-volley from Anthony McNamee’s flag kick forced a fine save out of Kiely as Town piled on the pressure.

Swindon eventually took the lead they deserved in the 33rd minute when McNamee’s near-post corner was met by Greer, and the captain’s angled header across goal found its way into the top corner.

Danny Wilson’s side continued to attack after the restart and Morrison sent a header from McNamee’s centre straight into the arms of Kiely on 56 minutes.

In the 66th minute Beattie curled a 20-yard free-kick wide as West Brom struggled to penetrate an impressive Town defence.

Sub Macklin almost doubled the lead, but saw his rising snap-shot from the edge of the area just fly over Kiely’s cross bar.

After barely having a sniff all night, Cox was suddenly handed a glorious chance to level things up in the 78th minute.

Morrison’s header back towards his own goal was weak and the former County Ground hero nipped in to dink the ball over the onrushing Lucas, but it ended up dropping the wrong side of the woodwork.

Lucas saved well with his legs to deny Beattie in the 83rd minute and McGovern should have sealed it when he met Callum Kennedy’s deep cross unmarked at the far post but the substitute volleyed into the floor from around seven yards out and his strike bounced over.

With three minutes remaining summer signing Scott Cuthbert was given his first action of pre-season, having recovered from a hernia operation and the former Celtic man helped ensure Swindon recorded an impressive victory.

TOWN (4-4-2): David Lucas; Kevin Amankwaah (Scott Cuthbert 87), Gordon Greer (c), Sean Morrison, Lescinel Jean-Francois; Alan O’Brien (Mark Marshall 64), Jonathan Douglas, Michael Timlin, Anthony McNamee (Callum Kennedy 75); Billy Paynter (Jon-Paul McGovern 79), Berlin Ndebe-Nlome (Lloyd Macklin 64)

Subs not used: Phil Smith, Nathan Thompson, Jerel Ifil, Craig Easton

WEST BROM (4-4-2): Dean Kiely; Gianni Zuiverloon, Abdoulaye Meite, Shelton Martis, Dwayne Samuels (Leon Barnett 46); Robert Koren (Borja Valero 46), Graham Dorrans, Youssuf Mulumbu (Marek Cech 62), Filipe Teixeira (Chris Brunt 66); Craig Beattie, Simon Cox

Subs not used: Scott Carson, Jonas Olsson, Jonathan Greening, Luke Moore