KESHI Anderson grabbed a second hat-trick of his career in front of a bumper Boxing Day crowd at the County Ground today as Swindon Town downed poor Cambridge United 4-0 to remain top of League Two.

Anderson had to wait 103 days between goals under inspired Town chief Richie Wellens before notching his fourth goal of the season.

Two more quickly followed in his name, though, as the 24-year-old’s hat-trick complemented Eoin Doyle’s earlier spot kick. 

Doyle's penalty marked his 11th successive game where he has registered a goal - equalling the club's record. 

Victory keeps Richie Wellens’ squad top of League Two with 46 points secured from 23 games.

While the plaudits will understandably go to the strikers, credit must go to Town’s ‘makeshift’ back four – Gabriel Zakuani and Ellis Iandolo came in for the presumably resting Rob Hunt and Zeki Fryers.

United were quick to make a mark – Lewis and Maris both had chances bravely blocked inside the penalty area with just two minutes played before the inevitable happened seconds later.

An unmarked Anderson proceeded into the visitors’ penalty area after he was rather easily sent through on goal by Caddis.

George Taft’s push on Anderson from behind might have been soft, but it merited a penalty in the eyes of referee Josh Smith.

Eoin Doyle stepped up from 12 yards to fire Town ahead and register his 22nd goal of the season.

Doyle almost turned goalscorer to goal creator in the 10th minute. The Irishman found an excellent pocket of space and was sent running to the right byline after Anderson fended off two markers amid a leggy scrap for possession.

A cross from the byline was cut out by Mitov, though, and Colin Calderwood’s XI re-established their broken shape.

The first phases of the opening half certainly didn’t pass without its concerns. Sam Smith was without question presented with United’s best chance when Baudry failed to deal with Mitov’s punt forwards.

From a tight angle, Smith’s strike was destined for Benda’s far post. But the German got down low to make an eye-catching stop.

At the other end, Doughty’s free kick from the edge of the D was deflected over the crossbar after Anderson was again fouled by Taft – the first of three in the first half - but this time in more clear-cut circumstances. The visiting defender was consequently booked.

London-based Doughty was involved in the hosts’ next attack. After his through ball to Yates just avoided Darling’s outstretched leg, the adaptable striker delivered a cross back to Wellens’ number 10.

Doughty fluffed his lines when he attempted to the pull the trigger, but the waiting Anderson several yards behind pounced on a loose ball – his effort was guided to the left of Mitov’s goal though.

Returning Iandolo almost pulled off a contender for individual goal of the season with eight minutes remaining in the half.

Starting his first game since November 19, the full-back turned Hannant and Darling inside out in one move before his ambitions attempt from a tight angle was struck onto the top of Mitov’s net.

Fear not, Swindon’s second was imminent. And it came in aesthetically pleasing circumstances as Caddis’ wonderful cross from the right was nodded down by Woolery into Anderson’s path.

Anderson escaped all markers before showing coolness under pressure to beat Mitov one-on-one and double Town’s lead.

That was Anderson’s first goal in 103 days. He didn’t have to wait quite so long for his next – six minutes to be precise.

This one, however, rather came out of the blue. Under no pressure and 25 yards from goal, the 24-year-old rooted Mitov to the floor and leathered his shot into the visitors’ top left corner.

That strike concluded a blockbuster opening half.

Unlike Saturday’s visit to Forest Green, Swindon didn’t switch off or unwelcomingly grow in confidence – whatever you want to call it – during half time.

In truth, the first quarter-of-an-hour was rather dull as United attempted to establish some stability.

They rarely broke into the hosts’ half, and when they did wrong decisions were made in the final third – Roles’ call to shoot rather than lay-off the unmarked Lewis was a typical example.

Oles rang around the ground, and those soon turned into standing applause when Anderson confirmed his hat-trick with 66 minutes played.

A cross from the right by Doyle couldn’t quite pick out the waiting Yates, instead a 50-50 challenge for possession concluded in Anderson gobbling up possession and scoring from close range.

There were standing ovations for Yates and Grant when they were replaced by Isgrove and Rose respectably – United meanwhile made a triple change with hopes of securing any points now long gone.

Understandably, the game calmed with all three points firmly in Town’s possession. Kaiyne Woolery still wanted in on the goalscoring, though.

He skipped past his marker inside the penalty area before a strike aimed towards the far post narrowly evaded Mitov’s post.

The game took a bizarre turn in the final minutes. Referee Josh Smith exited the field for what appeared to be an injury.

There was no confusion about the result, though. Another convincing win for the Town, and 8,000 plus satisfied customers.

Swindon: Benda, Caddis, Baudry, Zakuani, Iandolo, Grant (Rose, 70’), Doughty, Woolery (Curran, 88’), Anderson, Yates (Isgrove, 68’), Doyle.

Cambridge: Mitov, Taylor, Taft, Darling, Hannant (Knibbs, 73’), Dunk, Lewis, O'Neil, Roles, Maris (Dallas, 73’), Smith, Lewis, Roles (Norville-Williams, 73’).