Colchester United’s woes continued this afternoon after they were beaten 4-1 at home by Swindon Town.

The U’s survival hopes took another dent after they were defeated by the Robins, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester keeper Elliott Parish parried James Brophy’s early effort and Bradley Barry volleyed over, as Swindon enjoyed the better of the early play.

But Lawrence Vigouroux clawed away Chris Porter’s effort and also parried George Moncur’s fierce long-range strike, as the U’s looked for a breakthrough.

Colchester fell behind ten minutes before half-time when Nathan Thompson’s pass picked out Nicky Ajose and he controlled before firing past Parish and in.

The U’s almost got back on level terms six minutes later when Elliot Lee fired into the side netting and soon after, Vigouroux denied Porter with his legs as a good chance went begging for the hosts.

But Parish did well to foil Jon Obika just before the break, as Colchester went in at half-time trailing.

Jordan Turnbull tested Parish in the opening stages of the second half with a low shot, before Colchester fell further behind 11 minutes after the break when Ajose side-footed home from Turnbull’s pass.

And Swindon quickly made it 3-0 when Michael Doughty netted with a spectacular shot from the edge of the area, after Obika had picked him out.

U’s boss Kevin Keen made a triple substitution, sending on Owen Garvan, Drey Wright and Macauley Bonne in a bid to get his side back into the game.

And midfielder Joe Edwards gave Colchester brief hope soon after when he scored his first goal for the club with a half volley from the edge of the area.

But Swindon restored their three-goal advantage with 17 minutes remaining when Doughty turned just inside the area before planting a shot past Parish.

Lee came close to scoring a second for Colchester before the end and Vigouroux made a fine reflex save in stoppage-time to deny Edwards but they were in the end well beaten.

For five pages of coverage of the U’s game with Swindon, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.