SWINDON climbed above Devizes into fourth in the Conference North with an impressive 3-0 win in a crunch clash on the road.

The visitors hit the ground running at London Road and never looked back. The pace and intensity was back, and the ball was moved so quickly by Swindon that Devizes simply could not cope.

Swindon raced into an early lead, finding the net with just three minutes on the clock when Thomas Lentschner sent a superb deflection into the top corner.

The lead was doubled just five minutes later as Lentschner picked up the ball on the left-hand side and smashed home a reverse stick shot beyond the stunned keeper at his near post.

Further goalscoring opportunities came Swindon’s way as Devizes scrambled to stay in the game and they put the game to bed 15 minutes before half-time.

Again the goal came from another fast-paced break down the right. Jim Towers ended up with the ball and tried to pick out Henry Cheney, however, one of the Devizes defenders intervened but could only deflect the ball beyond his own goalkeeper to put the visitors three goals to the good at the interval.

The second half saw Swindon invite Devizes onto them a little more in an effort to create space behind the home back-line.

Thomas Hunt and Lewis Dyer were in excellent form in defence, with Thomas Gillingham stepping into the right-back position after Tom Goldsmith suffered a recurrence of an injury late on in the first half.

Swindon were less impressive in the second period but they did what was necessary to see out the game, and still created a number of excellent chances.

The free-flowing hockey continued from the visitors, with Luke Cejer finding Chris Parsons in midfield, who played a fine first-time pass to Towers. He in turn found Cheney, who had made a good run across the top of the circle, but his reverse stick shot flew narrowly over the bar.

The final whistle was greeted with quiet satisfaction from Swindon, who extended their unbeaten run to an eighth game.

Swindon are at home on Saturday when they face Leominster at Isambard School (12.30pm).