SWINDON Town put in a dominant performance to beat Port Vale 3-1 at Vale Park on Saturday.

A controlled start saw Swindon go in front through Jonny Williams in the 20th minute following excellent build-up play from the visitors and a neat pass from Harry McKirdy.

Despite Town's dominance, Vale struck back six minutes later with a stunning counter-attacking goal which was finished off by Kian Harratt.

Tyreece Simpson lost a 50-50 battle on the halfway line before the Vale striker picked the ball up, drove forward, and lasered a left-footed strike across Lewis Ward and into the side netting.

The key moment in the game came during first-half stoppage time though when Valiants goalkeeper Lucas Covolan left a high boot in on Harry McKirdy when collecting a high ball. The stopper was sent off for his foul before Ben Gladwin slammed the penalty past substitute goalkeeper Aidan Stone as he dived away to his right.

Ben Garner's men wrapped up victory in the second half when former Vale man McKirdy saw a cross heavily-deflected over the 'keeper when searching for Simpson in the middle.

Another three points saw Swindon rise to fourth ahead of the club's west-country derby at home to Bristol Rovers next Saturday.