Having been without a game for two weeks following last Saturday's postponment, County made two changes, both enforced, from the line-up against QPR. With Anthony Tonkin suspended Martin Pemberton deputised a left-back and with Ben Burgess plying his trade for Oldham, Jon Daly partnered Luke Beckett up front.

As the teams took the field it was clear that Carlton's head injury, sustained some three weeks ago now, still hadn't cleared up, as he still took the field wearing a ridiculous-looking headband. Within twelve minutes he along with thousands of County supporters, must have wished that he'd stayed on the bench.

Swindon's first attack came in the seventh minute of the game. The danger should have been easily cleared but Palmer headed the ball across the County area to Danny Invincible, he neatly tucked the ball to Sam Parkin, and a similar adjective could be applied to the big striker's finish past Lee Jones. Boos for Palmer.

Five minutes later the visitors must have been pinching themselves. This time Palmer was given a five yard start by Invincible, but still let the Aussie striker past him and then fell over for good measure. This left the Swindon man to pull the ball in to the path of Steve Robinson, who fired again past Jones. More boos for Palmer.

As so often these days County's only threat came via the trusty Luke Beckett. It was all his own work as he first imitated a left winger, then cut inside on to his right foot and curled a shot just an inch or two round the far post. Beckett should then have done better after being put through one-on-one by Martin Pemberton (his one effective touch of the first half) but fired straight at Griemink.

With half an hour gone Palmer pulled himself off, bringing on Andrew Thomas in his place. Even this wasn't a straightforward task for the County boss, who first held an on-pitch discussion with at least three other players and then proceeded to tell his life story (or so it seemed) to the oncoming player.

Despite the calamatous himself being taken off, County could easily have been three sown before half time. A misunderstanding between Hardiker and Jones led to Sam Parkin getting in between them, but from a tight angle Swindon's top scorer could only fire the ball across the face of goal with no onrushing player able to reach it.

There was a brief flurry from County at the start of the second half, with Ali Gibb getting in to the box but firing his shot a couple of feet wide, a finish typifying a player who has scored once once in his County career. Thereafter there seemed little between the sides, but with the onus on County to get forward after goals they seemed devoid of ideas and confidence.

There was a kind of inevitability when Swindon wrapped the game up with their third goal on 74 minutes. It came from a left-wing corner, flicked on at the near post and then volleyed in by right wing-back Dean Marney. This, understandably, signanlled a mass exodus of County fans, disgusted at what they had seen before them thus far .

What they missed in the remaining 16 minutes was actually quite entertaining. Firstly on 83 minutes a right wing corner was delivered in to the box from the right wing found Aaron Lescott of all people, he propelled the ball goalwards off some part of his anatomy and it took a hefty deflection off a visiting defender before going in. At least 3-1 would look respectable.

Though it was not to be, 85 minutes were on the clock when Swindon got their fourth, a breakaway move started by substitute Luke Nightingale on the right. He crossed the ball and midfielder matt Hewlett moved in on the goal unmarked and beat Jones. However, there was still more action to come.

Rickie Lambert, who had come on as a substitute for Martin Pemberton at 3-0, scored an almost nonchalent goal, passing the ball in to the corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area with no Swindon defenders closing him down.

Swindon still had time for two more chances in stoppage time, both times cutting County open down the right. Initally it was Sabin down the right side who squared for Nightingale who saw his attempt well smothered by Jones. They then repeated the trick, and although blatantly offside it was this time Nightingale who squared to Sabin, and he made no mistake. Sadly for County fans, this goal added an air of realism to the scoreline.

Dave Challinor protested about the offside, but would have been better served looking at what is meant to be his defensive line which was cut open by the Swindon forntline at will all through the game, both with and without Palmer. Despite this, it is clear to me that Palmer should not be playing, his mistakes are costing us to often, as to whether he should still be manager, does the same thinking apply...?.

County: (4-4-2) Jones; Hardiker, Palmer (Thomas), Challinor, Pemberton (Lambert); Gibb, Lescott, Goodwin, Ellison, Beckett, Daly; Beckett, Burgess. Not used: Spencer, McLachlan, Fradin.
Goals: Lescott 83, Lambert 88.
Booked: None.

Swindon: (3-5-2) Griemink; Gurney, Reeves, Heywood; Marney, Robinson, Hewlett, Miglioranzi, Duke; Parkin (Nightingale), Invincible (Sabin). Not used: Farr, Edds, Willis.
Goals: Parkin 7, Robinson 12, Reeves 74, Hewlett 85, Sabin 90.
Booked: None.

ATTENDANCE: 4,318

Copyright Ian Waterhouse 2002. All rights reserved.