IF Newport County AFC had a bad day at the office against Port Vale then in Swindon they gave a virus to their computer by clicking on a malicious email, set fire to their desk and scratched the boss’ car.
The Exiles headed to Wiltshire attempting to respond to their implosion in the 4-1 defeat to the Valiants.
Instead, they produced a performance that gives serious concern for the crunch autumn months when the fixtures come thick and fast to set the mini divisions within League Two.
The first half at the County Ground was a shambles, one that makes it a relief to already have nine points on the board with 31 more to accrue.
The Exiles have made a steady start under Nelson Jardim but make no mistake, this wasn’t just a relegation standard performance but one to rival sides like Scunthorpe who were marooned in 24th.
County made a disastrous start to fall behind to a Kabongo Tshimanga finish after the defence failed to clear their lines.
READ MORE: Jardim's post-match reaction
A second followed through Paul Glatzel and then Matt Baker put into his own net under pressure with just 20 minutes on the clock.
It was 4-0 at half-time when Joel Cotterill, fresh from a brace for Wales Under-21s, calmly finished and that ensured that Mark Kennedy would enjoy his first win as Swindon boss.
The 866 County fans in the away end really deserved better and thankfully they didn’t have to experience any more home goal celebrations in a flat second half, although nor did their side cause any alarms in attack.
The Exiles, after facing West Ham Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, need to be much, much, much better at Barrow next time out.
Jardim made four changes to his starting line-up from the implosion against Port Vale, three of them enforced due to Shane McLoughlin’s injury and bans for defenders Kyle Jameson and Ciaran Brennan.
Matt Baker was back from Wales Under-21s duty while there were call-ups for midfielders Kieron Evans, Noah Mawene and Oliver Greaves.
Baker joined forces with Cameron Evans and midfielder Bryn Morris in a central defensive trio while attacking midfielder Kieron Evans, on loan from Cardiff, was deployed down the right.
Captain Aaron Wildig and Cameron Antwi were behind Greaves and Mawene in a midfield box in supporter of Courtney Baker-Richardson.
Swindon were tense after an indifferent start to life under Mark Kennedy but they were lifted after some awful Exiles defending in the fourth minute.
A free-kick was pumped into the box and County failed to clear despite several chances with Tshimanga giving Nick Townsend no chance on the turn from inside the box.
That was followed by two drives from distance by Swansea prospect Cotterill that went narrowly wide.
County threatened seriously for the first time in the 17th minute when Baker-Richardson picked out Wildig with a lovely pass for a well-timed run but Tunmise Sobowale blocked superbly, and that proved to be vital.
Swindon went straight down the other end and Glatzel powerfully headed in a perfect cross from the left by George Cox.
It was soon 3-0.
County failed to deal with another set piece and defender Will Wright headed back across for the ball to be bundled in, with Baker credited with the own goal.
It could have been worse with Glatzel somehow left alone in the box but thankfully Baker scrambled and it remained ‘only’ 3-0 after a depressing half hour.
Jardim ditched the starting shape to move Kieron Evans further forward and Cameron Evans to the right in a four, desperately attempting to gain a foothold.
Instead, it was Swindon that struck before any changes could be made at the break with Townsend saving from Glatzel but Cotterill slamming in the rebound.
Jardim responded by withdrawing Antwi and Greaves to bring on Bobby Kamwa and Luke Jephcott up front, then swiftly made another change with what looked to be a concussion substitution of captain Wildig for Kiban Rai to get a chance.
Only a superb Townsend save, coming off his line quickly and spreading himself, prevented Swindon from hitting a fifth after more dodgy defending in the 53rd minute.
County looked a mishmash in attack and unsure at the back but it remained a four-goal game going into the closing stages, with very little of note happening.
Seven days earlier there were 11 added minutes in a game that was already done but thankfully this time there were just four more to endure.
County: Townsend; K Evans, C Evans, Morris, Baker, Glennon, Wildig (captain, Rai 51), Anwti (Jephcott HT), Greaves (Kamwa HT), Mawene, Baker-Richardson.
Substitutes not used: Carney, Seberry, Sanca, Hudlin.
Swindon goals: Tshimanga, Glatzel, Baker (OG), Cotterill.
Referee: Simon Mather.
Attendance: 6,857 (County 866).
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