Dismal Latics sunk by Swindon

Lee Erwin

LATICS 0, SWINDON 2

ATHLETIC slid to a hugely disappointing home defeat to a Swindon side who ended a run of three straight defeats.

The hosts were second best in every department, with Robins' 'keeper Lawrence Vigouroux rarely troubled.

It was a dismal first half from Latics at SportsDirect.com Park, and they were deservedly behind at the break.

Jonathan Obika struck after 18 minutes, slotting home his second goal of the season from 15 yards after latching on to a smart through-ball from Johnny Goddard.

It wasn't until after that when the hosts registered their first chance, with Josh Law curling a free-kick narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Lee Erwin fired a shot wide, while at the other end there was a let-off from Athletic when Obika forced Connor Ripley into a smart save.

Athletic looked more purposeful in the early stages of the second period after a double substitution.

Ollie Banks went close, arrowing a shot inches wide from 20 yards, while skipper Peter Clarke nodded Banks' cross off target from much closer in.

However, it was Swindon who doubled their lead in the 55th minute.

Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill clipped a shot over Ripley after he had controlled a cut-back from Goddard.

Athletic, now sapped of any confidence, almost fell further behind with Ormonde-Ottewill and Conor Thomas both forcing Ripley into excellent saves.

Peter Clarke was also forced to clear a Raphael Rossi-Branco strike off the line.