SWINDON Town slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Notts County at Meadow Lane this evening, after Lee Hughes struck late on to give the Magpies their first win in five league outings.

Hughes pounced in the 88th minute, sliding beyond Phil Smith after he collected a seemingly harmless chipped cross from the right.

Smith was the stand-out player for Town, pulling off several good saves to keep out the Magpies, and electric striker Craig Westcarr in particular, for so long.

Westcarr had half-a-dozen decent sights at goal but Smith proved resolute whilst, at the other end, Charlie Austin saw his header cleared off the line as the visitors rallied somewhat in the second period, having been dominated early on.

David Prutton and Jon-Paul McGovern called home keeper Rob Burch into action, but Town will once again rue conceding so late in the game.

Here are the key moments from this evening's match:

Two mins: With Lecsinel Jean-Francois down injured halfway inside his own half, County take a quick throw-in and Alan Judge finds Craig Westcarr inside the Town box.

The big striker shrugs off Morrison and seems set to strike at goal before Scott Cuthbert makes a timely interception.

An anxious start for the Robins.

Five mins: A second of panic for Town as Jean-Francois' header, aimed for keeper Phil Smith, is woefully weak.

Westcarr is onto the loose ball in a flash a rifles a low shot to Smith's left, but the visiting stopper gets a good, sold hand on it to push the strike to safety.

It's a top quality save so early on for Smith, but Swindon are looking shaky.

10 mins: The first sight of goal for Town, as Michael Timlin finds himself alone in the box following a throw-in and produces a powerful effort with his right foot which is destined for the bottom corner, but Liam Chilvers sticks a boot in the way before it can test Rob Burch.

12 mins: Thomas Dossevi brings down Ben Davies on the edge of the Swindon area and, after the winger's free-kick is blocked, Neal Bishop's snap-shot on the half-volley skids narrowly wide.

Bit of a storm brewing at Meadow Lane.

13 mins: It's one-way traffic at the moment. Smith pulls off a tremendous full-stretch save low to his right after Westcarr fires a daisy-cutter from 18 yards.

19 mins: It has to be said, Jean-Francois is having a bit of a nightmare at the back.

This time the Haitian completely leaves a long ball, which is never going to reach Smith, allowing Westcarr to steam in behind him an clip a dipping volley a matter of inches over the top.

Far too casual all round.

25 mins: Having spent 25 minutes picking holes in his game, I have to say Jean-Francois has just produced the most sensational of covering tackles to prevent County going ahead.

Jon Harley's pin-point through-ball finds Westcarr galloping into the Swindon penalty area, but Jean-Francois tracks his run, chases like a cheetah on speed and pulls off a terrific sliding tackle to steal the ball from the striker's feet just as he prepares to pull the trigger. Superb.

32 mins: A moment for Town, but only just. Michael Rose wins possession in midfield and slots Austin down the middle. The striker takes on Chilvers, dinks onto his right foot and can only find the stand.

And that really has been one of Swindon's best chances so far – that tells its own story.

35 mins: Best move of the match for the guests, as they finally tear their hosts to pieces.

Rose's long ball causes panic in the Magpies' rearguard and David Prutton, who has once again stood out for Swindon, plays in Matt Ritchie.

Ritchie darts to the byline before pulling back for the onrushing Prutton, who composes himself before shooting from a narrow angle – but his effort is beaten away by Burch.

Half-time: I'm going to stick my neck on the line here and say this isn't going to end 3-3.

Having said that, with Town this season predictions are a fairly rash commodity

48 mins: Another clumsy moment from Town as Westcarr's cross is headed away by Rose, but the ball is allowed to bounce tantalisingly 15 yards out and Ricky Ravenhill releases a firecracker which stings Smith's palms as he pushes it away.

Moment's later the Town keeper is called into action again as he holds Westcarr's long-range pile-driver well.

52 mins:After all that pressure, Swindon are so, so close to going in front.

Rose's corner drifts to the back post, finding Jonathan Douglas with time to spare. The Town skipper pulls the ball aerially across goal and Austin rises to nod beyond Burch, but his header is cleared off the line by a back-tracking County defender.

58 mins:Prutton collects the ball 18 yards from goal and shoots low, but his effort dribbles past the post.

59 mins: This encounter is certainly coming to life. Prutton nips in to rob possession 25 yards from goal and slides in Jon-Paul McGovern.

The substitute launches himself behind a fierce drive which is well blocked by Burch.

63 mins: Mike Edwards nods over Davies' corner as the Magpies leave a sustained period of pressure without reward.

69 mins: After Jean-Francois fells Miller on the edge of the area, Davies' free-kick flies inches wide of the post.

71 mins:Another free-kick in a dangerous position gives Town a headache as Davies' effort forces Smith into yet another good save down low to his left. One-man show at the back tonight for Swindon.

76 mins: Judge, who has been everywhere for the Magpies tonight, dances forwards and has a pop from distance, but it is never likely to trouble Smith.

78 mins:Remember McGovern's spectacular strike at MK Dons last term. Well, the midfielder has just tried a similarly audacious effort on the half-volley from 35 yards – and, to be fair to the Scot, it requires a good save from Burch.

It's starting to get a little scrappy now, however.

88 mins:(GOAL 1-0, Hughes)What was that about seeing games out? Town have had another defensive lapse late on and it may well have cost them.

The threat appears minimal when the ball is chipped into the box and Lee Hughes is the only striped shirt around. But somehow the cross drifts over every Town defender and falls to Hughes.

He may be controversial, but the striker can't half finish an opportunity, and Hughes slips the ball calmly past Smith.

SWINDON TOWN (4-4-2): Phil Smith; Scott Cuthbert, Sean Morrison, Lecsinel Jean-Francois (Paul Caddis, 73), Michael Rose; Matt Ritchie, Jonathan Douglas (Jon-Paul McGovern, 53), David Prutton, Michael Timlin; David Ball, Charlie Austin, Thomas Dossevi (David Ball, 80)

Subs not used: Mark Scott, Alan Sheehan, Simon Ferry, Alan O'Brien

NOTTS COUNTY (4-4-2): Robert Burch; Stephen Darby, Mike Edwards, Liam Chilvers, Jon Harley; Ben Davies, Ricky Ravenhill (John Spicer, 60), Neal Bishop, Alan Judge; Lee Miller( Lee Hughes, 71), Craig Westcarr

Subs not used: Stuart Nelson, Stephen Hunt, Krystian Pearce, Thomas Ince, Karl Hawley