PAOLO Di Canio and Swindon Town will have to wait a little longer to lift some silverware this season after the Robins lost 2-0 to Chesterfield in the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy yesterday.

The new Wembley has not been a happy hunting ground for Town after they lost the 2010 League One play-off final there two years ago.

And it was once again to be the scene of defeat for the Robins, as an Oliver Risser own goal and a late Craig Westcarr strike gave Chesterfield victory and with it, some respite from their League One woes.

The omens were good for Town in the build-up to the game. They had left their title push in good shape with a victory over Torquay on Tuesday and fans woke up to a glorious day of sunshine yesterday.

But from the outset, it was clear that something was perhaps not quite right. Swindon were nervy, especially at the back, and it was Chesterfield who were the first to test either goalkeeper when Drew Talbot crossed for Jack Lester, but the veteran forward directed a header straight at Wes Foderingham.

Town did start to wake from their slumber and they had their first chance minutes later when they broke quickly through Matt Ritchie and the winger scampered towards the area before he fed a pass to Simon Ferry.

The midfielder had sight of goal but opted instead to pass to Alan Connell, who clipped a shot well over the bar.

Chesterfield were looking dangerous on the break and they thought they had taken the lead in the eighth minute when Town failed to clear their lines and Lester pounced to swipe the ball into the net, but it was ruled out for an earlier offside.

While showing some good movement on the ball it was clear Town were still yet to hit their best form, but they had a great chance after 20 minutes when Paul Benson fed a pass to Lee Holmes on the edge of the area and the winger rolled the ball onto his right foot, but curled his shot just over the bar.

Holmes was causing all sorts of problems and he had another great chance just after the half hour when he again opened up space for himself and struck an effort goalwards and a Chesterfield defender compounded to head against his own keeper. The ball could have gone anywhere but fortunately for the Spireites it bounced out for a Town corner.

Chesterfield were dealt a blow nine minutes before the break when Lester, who had only just returned to action from injury, hobbled off and had to be replaced by Westcarr.

By then Town were dominating possession and they had another opportunity shortly before the break, but Connell failed to connect with the ball properly and volleyed well wide from inside the area.

But no sooner had the teams re-emerged from the tunnel Chesterfield were ahead.

Foderingham did well to prevent Jordan Bowery’s low drive but Town were unable to clear the loose ball properly and Alex Mendy picked up the loose ball and crossed low, where the unfortunate Risser compounded to stab the ball into his own net.

Town attempted to rally as keeper Tommy Lee just managed to pluck Ritchie’s inviting cross out of the air, but the goal had clearly rattled the Robins and they were struggling to really find a way through the Chesterfield defence.

It prompted Paolo Di Canio to make a change just after the hour mark, bringing on Ronan Murray for Risser and switching to a 3-4-3 formation.

But Town were still looking distinctly off key and they were hugely fortunate not to have fallen further behind in the 72nd minute when a rare mistake by Alan McCormack allowed Westcarr to race through on goal but, with only Foderingham to beat, the striker swept his shot side of the upright.

Swindon finally returned to life minutes later when Holmes and Ferry played a one-two inside the area but the former’s low shot was easy pickings for Chesterfield keeper Lee.

It was all Town in the closing stages but that final crucial ball was lacking and the closest they came to an equaliser was a header by substitute Alessandro Cibocchi, which was pushed over the bar by Lee.

Instead it was to be Chesterfield who scored again in the last minute of added time as Westcarr beat the offside trap to race through on goal and this time he made no mistake, beating Foderingam with ease.

Swindon had shown plenty of grit and determination on the way to Wembley but sadly both of those were missing when they needed it most, and Town must now look to claiming the League Two championship to ensure they claim some deserved silverware this season.