PLAYER unavailability and injuries cost Swindon points in their latest Verde Recreo Championship contest, as they were downed 2-1 by third-placed Truro.

The visitors, who had won 10 of their 16 games prior to Saturday’s tie, snatched a goal at the death to leave Wiltshire with all three points in the bag.

Truro took the lead mid-way through what proved to be an even first half. Swindon goalkeeper Alan Gough was left rooted to the spot when he was rounded as the hosts fell behind to a cheap close-range goal.

Tempers flared when a strong tackle resulted in an angry midfield exchange, but once tempers had been calmed by home skipper Thomas Gillingham the game resumed.

Swindon cranked their performance up a gear in the second half and started to assert their dominance on the contest.

Positive attacking play down the right resulted in an equalising goal with 12 minutes of the half remaining – Darryl Carpenter netting from close range.

But Swindon’s hard work was undone with minutes remaining when a missed tackle on the left opened up play for Truro. They wasted no time in executing a cross-D pass before scoring their second goal.

Swindon remain sixth in the division and will make the short trip to play West Wilts this Saturday.

Luck wasn’t on the side of Swindon A either, as they crashed to a humiliating 6-0 loss against Mendip in Central Two.

The loss is Swindon’s second in as many weeks, and means they remain 10th in the division – 12 points detached from 8th placed Clifton Robinsons C.

Swindon quickly found themselves behind as a poor pass from Niall Thielen lobbed Chris Lurchton – Mendip wasted no time in tapping home the loose ball to register their first goal.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser and did, to their credit, win a short corner.

But Mendip cleared their lines to quickly win their own short corner, which resulted in a penalty corner – allowing Mendip to double their lead.

Unable to pass properly, Swindon conceded four more goals and lost their way slightly in midfield.

The full-time whistle came as a relief for Swindon, who host fifth-placed Minehead this weekend at home.