The Latics slipped back into defeat mode after their 1-0 triumph at Tranmere Rovers as they succumbed 4-2 at Swindon Town. They started brightly enough and had the better of the first half exchanges ..... until the 44th. minute. The visitors created five great opportunities to open the scoring but it was Swindon who put the ball in the net just before the half. Paynter did the damage with a fine strike from long range and then a minute later Joe Jacobson presented the home side with a penalty which was given away in a silly manner by pushing Austin in the back when it was unnecessary. Paynter stepped up to score his second goal in as many minutes.
It went worse as the second half started when Paynter laid the ball to Austin to put the game almost beyond reach for the Latics and then it became 4-0 on the hour mark. This prompted Dave Penney to bring on Chris Taylor, Alex Marrow and Joe Colbeck (pictured) as replacements and they set about the task of reducing the deficit immediately. It was in the 80th. minute though that they finally pulled back a goal after Taylor squared the ball across the face of goal and Colbeck fired home. Jason Price pulled back another by heading in his first goal for the club in injury time from a Colbeck cross.
Penney told the press conference, "We had a mad couple of minutes before half time and a couple after, and you cannot give away goals like the ones we conceded. After falling behind, we ought to have regained our composure and made sure we didn't concede another before half time. We were the better side for the first 44 minutes and created a lot of chances, though we did not hit the target. To get a foothold in games like this, you have to start taking the chances you create. We have to learn not to snatch at our chances and, if somebody is in a better position, we have to give the ball to them."