Harry McKirdy scores four in Swindon Town 5 Northampton Town 2

In one of the most entertaining games for many a year at SN1, the 1-1 scoreline at the break was something of a shock to the 9000-plus who had turned up with Swindon largely dominant. However, an unforgettable second 45 ensured Swindon kicked off the new year in style.

McKirdy’s first came before the break while he added three more alongside Tyreece Simpson’s contribution midway through the second period.

Three more points lifts Ben Garner’s men up to fifth in League Two ahead of next Friday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester City.

Swindon made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Stevenage on Wednesday night. Jordan Lyden, Jonny Williams, and Simpson started in place of Ben Gladwin, Ryan East, and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

Lyden made his first league start of the season, while it was only his fourth start all told since Ben Garner took over in July.

Swindon began in arguably the brightest manner they had done all season, but only a Simpson strike that sailed over punctuated a bustling first 10 minutes from the hosts.

In the 12th minute, Jack Sowerby tested Jojo Wollacott with a long-range effort, but the home stopper got down well to gather it cleanly.

Before the 20-minute mark, Simpson poked past the near post after being released down the right-hand side, and McKirdy drove a really powerful shot wide from outside the box after tidy link-up play between Simpson and Lyden leading up to it.

Moments before his goal, McKirdy attempted to turn provider when whipping in a delightful cross from the left that was inches away from being volleyed in by Kaine Kesler-Hayden at the far post.

And in the 27th minute, the goal Swindon deserved did come. The home side broke on the counter, and Jack Payne collected out on the left from Simpson's pass. The stand-in wing-back crossed into the middle, and with a number of red shirts inside the box, the ball bounced favourably for McKirdy who swivelled on a sixpence and blasted past Liam Roberts from close range.

However, Swindon’s lead did not last long as Northampton struck back in fine style 10 minutes later. Shaun McWilliams played an inch-perfect diagonal towards Hoskins who had made the run past Ellis Iandolo. Having timed his run to perfection, Hoskins took a touch before lashing the ball past Wollacott and into the far corner.

The visitors ended the half far the stronger of the two sides, with Iandolo forced to provide a goal-saving block from Sowerby prior to an outrageous attempt from Mitch Pinnock. The Northampton man shot directly from a free-kick near the half-way line, and with the aid of the wind the ball was heading in until Wollacott scurried back and tipped it over.

The first half was entertaining, but it had nothing on the second 45. Five goals in 17 minutes made it another memorable clash with the Cobblers.

Northampton took the lead in the 52nd minute when Pinnock's free-kick was volleyed in by Guthrie while the Swindon defence begged for offside.

But less than 90 seconds later, Garner's men were level again as Simpson's initial shot was blocked and the ball pin-balled around the box. McKirdy steadied himself and volleyed emphatically into the net left-footed.

In the 55th minute, Williams slipped Simpson through down the right, and he was tackled at the last second when going to shoot. Unfortunately for Northampton, the ball bounced straight for McKirdy to tap into an empty net and complete his hat-trick.

Moments after Rob Hunt had looped a header off the bar, McKirdy added a fourth. Louis Reed's free-kick was beaten out by Roberts, but McKirdy was once again in the right place to volley home past a cluster of bodies.

With 18 minutes left, it could and should have been six for Swindon when Simpson hit the post from eight yards out after Iandolo had burrowed his way through down the left.

Inside the final 10 minutes, McKirdy was the width of a post away from being the first Swindon Town player to score five in a game since Keith East in 1965. Having been slipped through on goal, he toe-poked his effort across Davies. Only a desperate fingertip save prevented that from happening as Swindon comfortably saw out the remainder of the game to end a run of four league games without a win.

STFC starting XI: Wollacott, Odimayo, Iandolo, Hunt, Kesler-Hayden, Lyden, Reed, Payne, Williams, McKirdy, Simpson.

SUBS: Ward, Crichlow, Gladwin, Mitchell-Lawson, Gilbert, East, Grant.

NTFC starting XI: Roberts, McGowan, Sowerby, Guthrie, Horsfall, Hoskins, Lewis, Pinnock, Koiki, McWilliams, Rose.

SUBS: Maxted, Harriman, Kabamba, Connolly, Flores, Mills, Dyche.