SWINDON Town’s first League One away day of the season ended in a humbling defeat as they were swept aside by Chesterfield this afternoon.

A header from Spireites skipper Gary Liddle and Jay O’Shea’s stoppage time penalty gave the home side a comfortable cushion at the break before Ched Evans put them three goals to the good midway through the second half at the Proact Stadium.

Debutant Darnell Furlong notched a late consolation for the visitors, having only joined the club on a season-long loan from QPR 24 hours earlier, but in truth, that was more than Town deserved.

Town's season had began with much promise after last weekend’s opening day win at home to Coventry City, followed by the spirited midweek display at QPR in the EFL Cup, which only ended in a agonising penalty shoot-out defeat.

However, Swindon were all at sea against the Spireites and offered nothing as an attacking threat, allowing former manager Danny Wilson to get one over his old club and leave current boss Luke Williams to go back to the drawing board.

Chesterfield were in the ascendancy from the kick-off and it took a piece of brilliance from Town keeper Lawrence Vigouroux to prevent them taking the lead inside five minutes. Dan Gardner’s cross found Evans in the box but Vigouroux was able to tip his strike onto the post before gathering as it rolled back across the goalline.

Town offered nothing as an attacking threat in the first half and their only true sight of goal actually ended up setting them back. Brad Barry’s low cross was met by Luke Norris but he could not get enough on it under pressure from the defence and keeper Ryan Fulton easily gathered.

Norris was left in a heap on the floor as a result of the challenge and he immediately beckoned to the bench for treatment. Although he battled on gamely for five minutes, he could not run off the injury and Town were forced into a change inside the opening quarter as Jermaine Hylton came on in his place.

It kick started a double blow for Town as Chesterfield took the lead almost immediately after the substitution despite more heroics from Vigouroux.

The Town stopper tipped an Evans free-kick against the crossbar and then got up to deny Sam Hird on the follow-up but the ball looped up nicely for Spireites skipper Liddle to head home.

Swindon were grateful to Vigouroux for preventing them from falling further behind as he tipped an O’Shea strike around the post before then staying big to deny Gardner, who had collected a low Paul McGinn cross to get in an effort.

Gboly Ariyibi then fired over the top after Barry could only half clear a Liddle cross but the second goal the hosts deserved did arrive before the break, courtesy of a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Yaser Kasim was booked for a naughty trip on Ariyibi and Town skipper Nathan Thompson clipped Evans in the box as he span away to latch onto the free-kick. Referee Carl Boyeson pointed to the spot and O'Shea planted the ball into the bottom corner, past the dive of Vigouroux.

The match entered a lull after the restart and Williams rang the chances, introducing Furlong for his debut and Jordan Stewart in an effort to gain some momentum but Chesterfield remained in control and pulled further clear midway through the second period.

Ariyibi terrorised Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill with a teasing run up the right before firing across goal and Evans stepped in to tuck the ball over the line at the back post.

Town did get a few sights of goal as the match drew to a close, the best falling to Kasim as he collected Hylton’s cutback but the Iraqi international blazed well over the bar.

The visitors were able to return to Wiltshire with at least a goal to show for their efforts as Furlong fired home a consolation in the dying minutes but it did little to gloss over a lacklustre Town performance.

CHESTERFIELD (4-4-2): Fulton, McGinn, Hird, Liddle (capt), Evatt, Gardner (Jones 73), Evans (Dennis 90), Nolan, Donohue, O’Shea (Mitchell 82), Ariyibi. Subs not used: Raglan, Damaio, Simons, Allinson.

SWINDON TOWN (3-5-2): Vigouroux, Thomas, Thompson (capt), Sendles-White, Barry (Furlong 58), Doughty, Kasim, Rodgers, Ormonde-Ottewill, Young (Stewart 58), Norris (Hylton 21). Subs not used: Henry, Brophy, Iandolo, Goddard.

Referee: Carl Boyeson

Attendance: 5,378 (378 away)