Striker Harry McKirdy scored four goals as Swindon ran riot in a 5-2 win over second-placed Northampton in League Two.
McKirdy’s opener was cancelled out by Sam Hoskins before Jon Guthrie put the Cobblers ahead in the 50th minute.
However, the home side roared back as McKirdy scored twice in the next five minutes to complete his hat-trick and then added a fourth after Tyreece Simpson had added his name to the scoresheet.
Victory moved the Robins to within three points of their opponents.
McKirdy reacted quickest in the box to score his sixth goal of the season in the 28th minute after Shaun McWilliams failed to clear Jack Payne’s low cross.
Northampton soon found themselves back on level terms as Hoskins brought down McWilliams’ long-ball and finished powerfully and they led when Guthrie got on the end of a free-kick.
The lead lasted just a minute as McKirdy finished on the half-turn from inside the box and he soon completed his first hat-trick for the club after a collision between Simpson and Fraser Horsfall left him with an easy chance from close-range.
Simpson extended Swindon’s lead as he scored his 10th goal of the season in the 60th minute before McKirdy netted his fourth goal six minutes later to wrap up victory.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Swindon
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Wollacott
- 22HaydenBooked at 88mins
- 2Odimayo
- 24HuntBooked at 49mins
- 3Iandolo
- 8Lyden
- 20WilliamsSubstituted forGladwinat 69′minutes
- 25ReedSubstituted forEastat 81′minutes
- 10PayneSubstituted forCrichlowat 59′minutes
- 9Simpson
- 11McKirdy
Substitutes
- 5Crichlow
- 7Gladwin
- 12Ward
- 17Mitchell-Lawson
- 19Gilbert
- 26East
- 42Grant
Northampton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Roberts
- 3McGowan
- 6Horsfall
- 5Guthrie
- 14KoikiBooked at 62mins
- 17McWilliamsBooked at 18minsSubstituted forFloresat 69′minutes
- 4SowerbyBooked at 34minsSubstituted forConnollyat 66′minutes
- 7Hoskins
- 8Lewis
- 11Pinnock
- 32RoseSubstituted forKabambaat 65′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Harriman
- 9Kabamba
- 10Connolly
- 16Flores
- 23Mills
- 26Maxted
- 35Dyche
- Referee:
- Sam Allison
- Attendance:
- 9,071
Live Text
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Match ends, Swindon Town 5, Northampton Town 2.
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Second Half ends, Swindon Town 5, Northampton Town 2.
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Attempt blocked. Ben Gladwin (Swindon Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jordan Lyden.
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Attempt missed. Harry McKirdy (Swindon Town) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan East.
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Corner, Northampton Town. Conceded by Kaine Hayden.
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Kaine Hayden (Swindon Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Kaine Hayden (Swindon Town).
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Ali Koiki (Northampton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Mitchell Pinnock (Northampton Town) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
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Harry McKirdy (Swindon Town) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Ben Gladwin following a fast break.
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Substitution, Swindon Town. Ryan East replaces Louis Reed.
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Attempt missed. Ben Gladwin (Swindon Town) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Harry McKirdy following a set piece situation.
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Harry McKirdy (Swindon Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Paul Lewis (Northampton Town).
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Tyreece Simpson (Swindon Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Aaron McGowan (Northampton Town).
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Attempt missed. Jordan Lyden (Swindon Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Tyreece Simpson.
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Attempt saved. Dylan Connolly (Northampton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Aaron McGowan.
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Attempt saved. Nicke Kabamba (Northampton Town) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Sam Hoskins with a cross.
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Foul by Romoney Crichlow (Swindon Town).
