PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town (1) v (2) Salford City

Swindon Town suffered a shock defeat as Salford City came from behind to secure a 1-2 victory at the County Ground. Read below as Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings following the defeat.

GK: J Wollacott (6)

Made some smart saves but lacked the speed in his distribution that he displayed on Tuesday night to get Swindon playing quickly on the counter. Flapped at the corner for Salford’s second as The Ammies completed their comeback.

RB: R Hunt (6)

Was below his best today but still produced a stable performance as Swindon suffered a first loss in four games. Failed to close down Hunter who’s cross assisted Shephard for Salford’s equaliser. Was reliable when in possession but will have been disappointed with his part in that goal.

CB: B Cooper (5)

Defensively this was Cooper’s worst performance for Swindon as Salford won it late on to secure all three points. The Swansea loanee should have been shown a straight red card after pulling Shephard to the ground on the goal-line on the half-hour mark. Attacking-wise Cooper looked calm in possession but perhaps enjoyed more of the ball than he would have liked.

CB: J O’Brien (6)

Initially did well in his battle against Thomas-Asante as the defender used his strength to get the better of the pacy forward. However, despite making some key tackles, O’Brien was at fault for losing Watson at the corner as the Salford man headed past Wollacott to hand the visitors’ victory.

LB: J Tomlinson (7)

Got forward well throughout and even tested Salford’s defensive resolve with shots from range and balls into their defence. Assisted McKirdy for Swindon’s only goal of the game with his corner delivery right on the money.

CM: L Reed (6.5)

Started brightly but faded as the game went on and was sloppy in possession as Salford sought to grab a second goal that would ensure victory. Was effective defensively as Salford were forced to attack from wide positions but looked tired during the closing stages of the match having played three games in the space of a week.

CM: E Iandolo (7)

Iandolo seems to have cemented his place as a midfielder in this Swindon Town squad and was again deployed in the role today as Salford used their physicality to try and get the better of the hosts. Iandolo did brilliantly in using his own strength to keep possession at times and was an effective runner for Swindon throughout and will almost certainly keep his place during Galdwin’s absence.

CM: R Aguiar (7)

Off the back of Tuesday’s brilliant goalscoring performance, Aguiar was energetic throughout today as he popped up in numerous positions but lacked the accuracy in his shooting that was displayed against Walsall as he failed to find the target from the edge of the box when set up by teammates. A good performance but at times seemed to struggle in his decision-making.

LW: L Barry (6)

Having impressed with a brace against Walsall, big things were expected from Louie Barry against Salford, however, the Aston Villa prodigy failed to have the same impact against Salford. Attempted to take on Lowe at right-back on numerous occasions, however, The Ammies Captain seemed to get the better of the youngster almost every time.

RW: H McKirdy (6.5)

Scored with just the second headed goal of his Swindon Town career after scoring with a header against Leyton Orient, however McKirdy seemed to struggle for large parts of the game against Salford. 

The arrival of Davison has pushed McKirdy out to the right-wing and he just doesn’t seem as effective in that position. That being said he did waste a great chance in the first-half after being played through by Aguiar.

ST: J Davison (6.5)

Appeared to be fouled almost every time he got the ball played up to him and was still effective in maintaining possession when long balls were played up to him. Seems to be getting used as a target man by Garner and is a very useful asset when Swindon look to go long but needs to get himself into more goalscoring positions at times.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Jonny Williams (6)

Failed to have the impact that Ben Garner would have hoped when he came on but added quality in the final third that Swindon were sometimes lacking. Williams has had to endure coming off the bench recently but will be hoping to be back in the starting line-up against Bradford. 

J Mitchell-Lawson (N/A)

Came on with just ten minutes remaining.

H Parsons (N/A)

Brought on with just a few minutes left as Swindon chased an equaliser.