9:40pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Anthony Marshall
FIRST half goals from Aaron Wilbraham and James Tunnicliffe saw Town slip to a 2-1 defeat away at MK Dons tonight.
Wilbraham struck inside two minutes, slotting home after David Lucas had saved Luke Chadwick's shot.
And although Swindon hit the woodwork through both Billy Paynter and Jonathan Douglas, the hosts went two up thanks to Tunnicliffe's header.
Town rallied in the second half and halved the deficit in injury time through Danny Ward, but it was too little too late as they suffered defeat in consecutive League One games for only the second time this season.
Manager Danny Wilson had rung the changes from Saturday's 4-0 thumping against Bristol Rovers, with centre-back Gordon Greer making way for Sean Morrison, and Vincent Pericard making his full debut at the expense of Charlie Austin up front.
If Town's defensive change was intended to shore them up, it backfired spectacularly as they got off to the worst possible start with just 65 seconds on the clock.
Luke Chadwick robbed Sean Morrison, sprinted away from Scott Cuthbert and, although his shot was saved by David Lucas, the loose ball fell straight into the path of Aaron Wilbraham, who tucked into the empty net.
Minutes later the pair were at it again, with Chadwick causing chaos down the left before centering for Wilbraham, who drove straight at Lucas.
Swindon's first opportunity came on 10 minutes, when Jonathan Douglas fed Danny Ward and, after a mazy dribble, he forced Dons keeper Willy Gueret into a low save.
But the hosts were soon back on top, with Chadwick's cross finding Mark Carrington unmarked in the middle of the area, but the midfielder somehow failed to test Lucas.
In the 14th minute Town were almost back on level terms. Jon-Paul McGovern's delivery from the right took a slight deflection off Dean Lewington and fell invitingly for Billy Paynter.
The 22-goal top scorer met it on the volley, but saw his 15-yard effort crash against the cross bar and away with Gueret beaten.
The visitors were beginning to have more of the play and Alan Sheehan warmed Gueret's palms from a free-kick before, straight up the other end, Jermaine Easter fired over having played a neat one-two with Carrington.
But Town were inches away from drawing level on 35 minutes when McGovern's cross was only half cleared.
Jonathan Douglas, standing just outside the area, flicked the ball up for himself up before striking a low drive which beat Gueret, struck the inside of the upright, rolled back across the goalmouth and somehow stayed out.
And it was a miss that Swindon were left to rue just two minutes later as the Dons doubled their lead.
Peter Leven's corner was inch-perfect and defender James Tunnicliffe escaped him marker to head firmly past Lucas.
Having twice been denied by the woodwork in the first half, it wasn't a case of third time lucky right on the stroke of half-time.
Danny Ward did well to get to the by-line, and his centre was met by Paynter a couple of yards out.
It seemed to take the striker by surprise, however, and under pressure from David McCracken, he managed to bundle the ball against the post and to safety.
Swindon started the second period brightly in a bid to get back in the game, but it was the Dons who again looked more clinical in the final third, with Mark Randall striking just wide five minutes in.
With 58 minutes played, Wilson took his first two throws of the dice by bringing on axed duo Greer and Austin at the expense of Morrison and Pericard.
But they continued to lack the attacking spark and defensive solidity which has summed up their season so far.
Paynter headed wide Sheehan's free-kick on 74 minutes, but clear cut chances were few and far between despite an abundance of possession.
Randall went close for Dons with a dipping strike from distance, and Dean Lewington headed wide at the far post as they looked to put the contest to bed.
And the less said about a long range Kevin Amankwaah effort for Swindon with 10 minutes remaining, which troubled the scoreboard more than Gueret, the better.
Danny Ward pulled one back in stoppage time with a rising strike which gave the Dons keeper no chance, but it was Amankwaah's effort which summed up Town's night - promising situation, good position, but must do better.
TOWN (4-4-2): David Lucas; Kevin Amankwaah (Lecsinel Jean-Francois 85), Scott Cuthbert, Sean Morrison (Gordon Greer 58), Alan Sheehan; Jon-Paul McGovern, Simon Ferry, Jonathan Douglas (c), Danny Ward; Billy Paynter, Vincent Pericard (Charlie Austin 58)
Subs not used: Phil Smith, Michael Timlin, Craig Easton, Matt Ritchie
MK DONS (4-4-2): Wily Gueret; Danny Woodards (Jude Stirling 18 (Mathias Doumbe 85)), David McCracken, James Tunnicliffe, Dean Lewington (c); Mark Randall (Luke Howell 85), Mark Carrington, Peter Leven, Luke Chadwick; Jermaine Easter, Aaron Wilbraham
Subs not used: Stuart Searle, Sol Davis, Sean O'Hanlon, Dean Morgan
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