BEN Gladwin gave Town’s run-in a shot in the arm with a stunning first half hat-trick to steer his side to a 4-2 win at Rochdale.

After opening the scoring from a rapid Town counter-attack, Gladwin scored a fine individual goal and a penalty before the break, which in addition to a Michael Smith strike, ensured a comfortable win and a play-off spot.

It was a fantastic display from Gladwin, who has become a key part of boss Mark Cooper’s plans this season, emerging as a player of delightful touch and ability in Town’s midfield.

The only blot on Gladwin’s night was conceding the penalty from which Ian Henderson scored Dale’s first. It was a harsh decision by referee Nigel Miller Dale’s other coming from a late own goal by skipper Nathan Thompson, but by that point Town were over the hill and out of sight.

Swindon have struggled for goals of late and the flurry at Spotland will come as relief to Cooper and the County Ground faithful with the play-offs in the horizon.

It was as ruthless a display as Town have shown all season - certainly away from home; their first half goals coming from all their four shots.

After the break, it was a more measured display as Town saw the game out without overexerting themselves. The away side were content to stroke the ball around an iffy Spotland surface and keep the hosts at arm’s length.

With five games still to play before a probable play-off campaign, it will be key for Town to rest when they can. Thanks to the platform established by Gladwin, they were able to.

After his penalty miss at the weekend, Andy Williams was dropped to the bench, with Smith recalled in his place to partner Jonathan Obika up front.

With Jordan Turnbull absent for the first time all season, Thompson came straight back into the side, but not in his usual position in the middle of the back three. Instead, Jack Stephens retained his role from the win over Peterborough and the skipper started on the right.

The game started in a very open fashion. With light and generous defences, it had the look of a pre-season friendly.

Immediately, Thompson was under the spotlight when he was left two-on-one with Dale top-scorer Henderson and Joe Bunney. Henderson laid the ball into Bunney’s path and the youngster drew a fine stop from Foderingham.

Smith was the next man to get a sight of goal. A slick Town move, involving a smart turn from Obika on the halfway line, found the Geordie hit-man in space on the edge of the box. Smith worked the ball on to his right and bent his shot. Sadly, it beat the right-hand upright.

Within a minute, Rochdale fans were left holding their heads as Bunney missed another big chance. Again found by Henderson, this time at a closer range, he somehow failed to hit the target.

The pendulum was about to swing firmly in the direction of Town, but not before Rochdale were to get another sight at goal . Former Town man Michael Rose drew a finger-tip save from Foderingham with a free-kick tipped on to the bar.

In the aftermath, Town broke at speed through the canned heat in the heels of Nathan Byrne. The wing-back picked up his head and slotted a pass into the path of Gladwin, who coolly slotted past Jamie Jones in the Dale goal for the opener.

Minutes later, Town were two-up. Stephens drove out of defence and fed Smith inside the box. The big striker jinked on to right foot and this time fired his shot into the same corner he missed earlier.

Dale’s spirits were not dimmed though and they poured forward in search of an equaliser. Henderson came close with a with a wonderful chipped effort that left Foderingham a bystander as it went over his head and came back off the post.

Gladwin was in the zone, teasing the Dale midfield with his footwork and passing ability. It was some of that smart dribbling that brought him his second goal and Town’s third. Having wriggled through a couple of challenges in the box, the former Marlow man found room for a shot into the same corner as both his and Smith’s first.

The midfielder wasn’t finished - barely five minutes after his second, he had first professional hat-trick. Bundled over just inside the box, he was quickly up to take and rifle home the spot-kick. A great moment for a man who was playing Southern League football just last season.

Henderson had been lively all night and it was he who gave Dale the slimmest lifeline in first half stoppage time. Andrew Cannon cut into the box from right and Ben Gladwin had some of the sheen taken off his half when he was harshly adjudged to have brought down the Dale man inside the box.

Henderson took the penalty and got his 20th goal of the season, but only after a fashion. His spot-kick was weak and Foderingham saved it, cruel on the keeper he left helpless as Henderson’s shot spun back and dribbled over the line.

It was harsh on both Gladwin and Foderingham, but surely was to be only be a consolation for the home side.

After the break, the game continued at the frenetic pace of a cup clash.

Town nearly added a fifth on 60 minutes. Gladwin’s low cross came all the way to Obika at the back post for a tap-in but Jones got across to make a great smothering save. He also stopped the follow-up to deny Obika a goal he deserved for his unheralded endeavours in Town’s display to that point.

Dale’s second half was blighted by offsides as they continually got in good positions, only to see the flag go up and their good position squandered.

Only into second half time added time did they manage to finally take advantage, with Thompson unfortunate to bundle the ball past Foderingham into his own goal.

With a play-off spot now secure and Preston slipping up against Gillingham, can now make a run at second place safe in the knowledge they have something solid to fall back on.