SWINDON Town slipped to a third successive pre-season defeat this evening as Premier League side Swansea City cruised to a comfortable victory at the County Ground.

Town were never totally outclassed by their illustrious opposition and contained Francesco Guidolin’s troops for 45 minutes but following an influx of half-time substitutes, the Swans’ quality soon began to shine through.

Andre Ayew needed just five minutes after his introduction to break the deadlock with a fine low strike, while Jay Fulton’s header shortly afterwards ended Town’s hopes. Modou Barrow then added a third for the visitors 20 minutes from time.

Following previous defeats to Reading and Woking, this result means Town have been beaten in all of their friendlies since returning from a pre-season camp in Ireland on July 17 and they have just one more opportunity to get another win under their belts before the new League One season starts on August 6 when they travel to Yeovil Town on Saturday.

Quality chances were at a premium in a forgettable first half, although Town did see the first sight of goal when John Goddard latched onto a Jonathan Obika knockdown and tried his luck with a first-time effort from 25 yards, which Swansea keeper Gerhard Tremmel was able to scramble wide.

Swansea then began to gradually impose themselves in Town territory and Kenji Gorre’s ball from the right found its way to Nathan Dyer 20 yards out and his low shot flew just past the post.

Mike Van der Hoorn then headed a Dyer free-kick wide of the far post before another set-piece – this time for Town – led to the first real gilt-edged opening.

Goddard was manhandled by Federico Fernandez on the right and although Yaser Kasim’s free-kick was easily cleared, Anton Rodgers was able to pick out Raphael Branco but his powerful strike was palmed away by Tremmel, who immediately got back up to deny Goddard on the follow-up as the sides headed to the changing rooms with stalemate continuing to ensue.

Swansea rang the changes at the break, making nine substitutes in all, with the likes of Ayew, Leroy Fer, Angel Rangel and Jefferson Montero amongst those to be introduced. Town were forced into a change themselves just three minutes after the restart as Branco limped off and was replaced by Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill.

It took Swansea’s stellar substitutes just five minutes to make an impact as Ayew swiftly broke the deadlock. Barrow picked him out in the box and the Ghana international composed himself before drilling a low strike past Vigouroux into the bottom corner.

Town had a sniff of a swift reply for Town as Goddard released Obika to charge into the box but he smashed his effort into the side netting.

The game was then ended as a contest within 10 minutes of the break as the visitors grabbed their second goal. Fulton lost his man too easily to meet a Barrow free-kick at the near post and his header looped over Vigouroux into the roof of the net.

Town refused to roll over, though, and Tom Smith lashed just over the bar from distance before Ellis Iandolo played in fellow substitute Jermaine Hylton, who cracked a first-time effort against the post.

Hylton then did get the ball over the line following a corner shortly afterwards but the strike ruled out for offside.

However, any hopes of a home fightback were cut short by a brilliant ball over the top from Montero 20 minutes from time as Barrow latched onto it after leaving the Town defence for dead before lashing past Vigouroux.

The Swans went close to a fourth goal in the dying minutes as Montero had Vigouroux beaten but a combination of Jamie Sendles-White and Ayew stumbled onto the goalline to prevent it going over.

SWINDON TOWN (3-5-2): Vigouroux, Branco (Ormonde-Ottewill 48), Thompson (capt), Sendles-White, Barry, Kasim, Rodgers (Iandolo 61), Smith, Brophy, Goddard (Young 83), Obika (Hylton 61). Subs not used: Henry, Spalding, Evans, Stewart.

SWANSEA CITY: Tremmel, Naughton, Fernandez, van der Hoon, Kingsley, Fulton, Cork, Gorre, Dyer, Routledge (capt), McBurnie. Substitutes: Nordfeldt, Rangel, Roberts, Amat, Fer, King, Barrow, Montero, Ayew, Rodon.

Referee: Simon Hooper

Attendance: 3,306 (554 away)