LAWRENCE Vigouroux suffered the ignominy of being sent off against Town’s bitterest rivals for the second time this season but it’s hard not to feel somewhat sorry for Swindon’s first-choice goalkeeper.

After all, on Sunday afternoon, he found himself an unfortunate victim of his own team’s style of play.

Up until referee Darren Deadman held a red card aloft in his direction three minutes into added time, Vigouroux had performed solidly against Oxford United and couldn’t shoulder much blame for the two goals that had put the visitors in control, particularly Rob Hall’s unstoppable effort that decided matters.

It’s nothing new – Swindon are staunch believers in playing the ball between themselves in defensive areas and enticing opponents to press them, only to find themselves bypassed by slick passing triangles.

It’s probably one of the most recognisable facets of the feted ‘Swindon way’ and there are countless opportunities of that progressive build-up proving an effective tactic.

But sometimes, things don’t go to plan, as Vigouroux will no doubt lament.

With the final whistle looming, Town got themselves in an almighty muddle just a few yards outside of their penalty area, with a loose pass infield signalling panic sirens as U’s substitute Kane Hemmings seized on the ball.

Vigouroux felt he had no option but to charge from his box to challenge Hemmings and when the Oxford man was clattered, referee Deadman opted to show the 23-year-old a straight red card.

However, the decision seemed harsh, not least because it was questionable whether the incident constituted an obvious goalscoring opportunity but also as it appeared that the foul wasn’t committed by Vigouroux but his captain Nathan Thompson, who launched into a despairing slide tackle and even sent his own keeper flying.

Nonetheless, the situation was borne of Town’s approach to going from one end of the pitch to the other.

They’re well aware of it, and in their eyes, the benefits outweigh the risks.