'Embarrassing' - Gunning left baffled by Swindon defeat at Sutton

Interim head coach Gavin Gunning said Swindon Town’s 3-1 defeat at Sutton United was “embarrassing” and insisted more experience was needed in the team next season.

Paul Glatzel’s late consolation strike was all Town could muster from their trip to Gander Green Lane, with Charlie Lakin and Harry Smith netting either side of keeper Jack Bycroft’s own goal.

Gunning told BBC Radio Wiltshire: “It’s embarrassing. Listen, when you come to Sutton, you know what you are going to get. It’s going to be turning on you, landing on second balls, you know their style.

“But we didn’t do it at all. It was coming up, we didn’t get round each other, we didn’t land on the seconds. We just didn’t have that appetite that it takes to get a result here.

“They are on a good run but you know all we’ve been working on is ‘get round the ball’. You know what’s coming, it’s coming long, it’s coming in the channels. They are going to be relentless.

“When we get it can we smooth it out? We didn’t do any of that, which is the biggest disappointment.”

Bycroft’s loose clearance allowed Smith to cross for Lakin to head in on nine minutes and put Sutton ahead.

Former Southampton youngster Bycroft then spilled Josh Coley’s driven centre, as the hosts went two in front.

The game was virtually over with 20 minutes remaining when Smith himself got in on the act for the hosts, heading in a cross from Coley.

Former Liverpool youngster Glatzel converted a free-kick for Swindon late on, but Gunning was left to rue another difficult day’s work.

“We need experience in the team, that’s what the team requires,” he said.

“Centre-halves, like I’ve been there myself. You come, you put your head on everything, you get a broken nose, you get in the way of balls.

“League Two, to be successful in it, your spine must be experienced and solid.”

Swindon’s next test comes at Barrow on Saturday (3pm).

(Picture: Rob Noyes)