PAUL Cook saw Accrington Stanley slip to the third defeat of his tenure as they were beaten at Paolo Di Canio's Swindon this afternoon.
The League Two leaders secured a ninth successive victory after taking an eighth-minute lead through Paul Benson, who headed home from 12 yards.
Benson then fired home a second goal in the 29th minute to leave Stanley with a mountain to climb.
The Reds replaced centre backs Dean Winnard and Toto Nsiala at the interval, with Peter Murphy and debutant Michael Liddle filling in, before substitute Bryan Hughes limped off with a hamstring injury just two minutes after coming on.
Craig Lindfield directed a shot into the side netting in an improved second half display but Stanley could not find a goal as they dropped to 14th in the table.
Stanley: Lee Nicholls, Danny Coid, Toto Nsiala (Bryan Hughes 46, Michael Smith 48), Dean Winnard (Charlie Barnett 46), Michael Liddle, Jamie Devitt, Peter Murphy, Luke Joyce, Kevin McIntyre, Padraig Amond, Craig Lindfield. Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Kurtis Guthrie.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here