SCUNTHORPE United inflicted further misery on Swindon Town as a dismal display from the visitors ended in a 4-1 defeat at Glanford Park.

Paddy Madden started the rout in the 15th minute when he finished a well-worked set-piece move before Duane Holmes doubled the hosts’ advantage just six minutes later.

Two goals in the space of four minutes before the break from Kevin Van Veen and Madden put the hosts in cruise control.

Skipper Nathan Thompson headed home seven minutes after the interval but it was not enough to prevent Swindon dropping into the bottom four for the first time this season.

There was just one change from the side that lost to 2-0 to Walsall last weekend as Raphael Branco returned from suspension to replace James Brophy, who was replaced last weekend at half time with trouble breathing.

That led to a re-shuffle at the back as Branco partnered Conor Thomas, with Darnell Furlong being switched to left-back and Nathan Thompson moving to right-back.

Meanwhile, Michael Doughty, Lloyd Jones, Jordan Young and Jordan Stewart all returned to the bench for Town to add much-needed depth to the matchday squad.

Swindon started brightly as Sean Murray looked to open up the hosts early on and Ellis Iandolo was enjoying a lot of the ball down the left.

Nathan Delfouneso and John Goddard linked up well in the box after eight minutes, as the latter played in Thompson but Holmes was back well to deny the full-back as he went to pull the trigger in the box.

However, Swindon’s confidence was dealt a blow as a Scunthorpe corner in the 15th minute was played to Conor Townsend on the edge of the box.

The defender hit the ball sweetly through a crowded box towards the corner of Lawrence Vigouroux’s goal and Madden was on hand to fire the ball in.

Scunthorpe capitalised on Swindon being rocked and six minutes later were two goals to the good as Van Veen played a nutmeg through the legs of Branco and Holmes latched onto the ball in the box to score.

Swindon struggled to get a foot hold in the game and things got worse for the visitors before the break.

It was sloppy mistake at the back as Thomas tried to head a bouncing ball back to Vigouroux from the edge of the box that cost them as Van Veen used his pace to get to the ball first and poke it past the on-rushing keeper before calmly finishing.

Swindon were unable to prevent another goal before the break as Branco failed to clear his lines in first-half stoppage time and Van Veen capitalised again, only to see his effort cannon off the bar.

However, Madden was on hand in the six yard box to tap in the rebound for his second of the game.

Luke Williams made two changes at the break as Jones and Doughty entered the fray to replace Goddard and Ellis.

The Queens Park Rangers loanee made an immediate impact as his driving run earned Town a corner in the 52nd minute.

Murray delivered the set-piece from Swindon’s left and while Doughty missed his header at the near post, Thompson was on hand directly behind him to head the ball home.

However, that was as good as it got for Swindon’s travelling fans as Vigouorux twice pulled off fine saves, first to deny David Mirfin from close range and then to prevent Josh Morris at the near post with his feet.

SWINDON TOWN: Vigouroux; Thompson, Thomas, Branco, Furlong; Rodgers, Kasim; Goddard (Jones 45’), Murray, Iandolo (Doughty 45’); Delfouneso (Stewart 73’)

Unused subs: Henry, Evans, Stewart, Young, Norris

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge

Attendance: 4,262