SWINDON coach John Brown admits only a frustrating lack of consistency is preventing the Greenbridge Road side from dragging themselves further away from Southern Counties North danger.

Brown’s men defeated Slough 32-18 on Saturday, the 14-point victory helping them leap above their Berkshire rivals to fourth from bottom on points difference.

And the head coach is hoping the victory is not another false dawn as the club aim to secure their future in the division.

Brown said: “We played very well for 80 per cent of the game and capitalised on a couple of opportunities.

“If we could play that way most of the time we wouldn’t be in the position we are.

“Unfortunately, we cannot get a great deal of consistency this season and it’s something we have to work on.’’ Swindon got off to a flying start, breaking the deadlock after just five minutes when centre Paul Wakefield rode a number of tackles before touching down under the posts.

The conversion was missed and Slough closed the gap, scoring a penalty right in front of the posts.

Swindon then dominated and, after missing several good opportunities, skipper Paul Daniels powered through to score another unconverted try.

A fine individual effort from winger Ban Pailor gave Swindon a 15-3 lead at the break.

Slough bounced back strongly in the second half, scoring a try and a penalty to close to within four points of Swindon.

But the comeback was shortlived as Swindon bounced back.

Wakefield’s fine run saw him tackled just metres from the line but Swindon recycled the ball and winger Matt Allen burst through under the posts to score a converted try.

A stubborn Slough side though refused to lie down and die, scoring a converted try soon after to make the score 22-18.

Swindon though didn’t buckle under the pressure and, after adding a penalty, Brown went through to clinch victory.

Cricklade completed the league double over Supermarine with a 17-12 victory in Dorset & Wilts One North.

Marine, perhaps determined to make amends for the 27-10 beating earlier in the campaign, scored an early try but Cricklade bounced back and Matty Blackburn ghosted through the defence for a score converted by Rhys Mills.

Mills and Dave Cox then combined with some neat offloading to send Simon Howes over for the home side’s second try and Mills added the extras before booting a penalty to stretch the advantage.

Marine though hit back with their second converted score before half-time to set up a nervy second period.

The visitors pummelled away at the Cricklade defence as tempers frayed but the hosts held on.