ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Swindon 1-2 Bury

Swindon's winless run in League One stretched to three games as they were defeated by Bury at the County Ground.

Hallam Hope scored a brace for Bury that put them 2-0 up before half-time, and they held on for the three points despite Jon Obika's goal in the 64th minute and further second half pressure from Swindon.

Hope gave Bury the lead with just 13 minutes on the clock as he seized on a rebound to make it 1-0 to the visitors from point-blank range.

A cross by Zeli Ismail was guided towards goal by Tom Pope, which Will Henry kept out, but Hope was there to exploit some lacklustre Swindon defending to tap in the opening goal before the 15-minute mark.

Hope then doubled the visitors' advantage in first-half stoppage time. 

Sean Murray, who signed for Swindon on transfer deadline day from Watford, sloppily gave the ball away in midfield to Hope, who bundled the ball through the legs of Nathan Thompson and then had the freedom of the County Ground to compose himself and slot the ball past Henry who had no chance.

Controversially, however, Swindon thought they were level in the 21st minute when Obika diverted an effort by Sean Murray past goalkeeper Ben Williams, however the linesman raised his offside flag to disappoint delirious home supporters.

Swindon did have the ball in the back of the net with just over 25 minutes remaining in the match through when Obika's first-time finish beat Williams at his near post.

The first half went from bad to worse six minutes later as Jamie Sendles-White collided with Pope and had to be stretchered off. He was replaced by QPR loanee Darnell Furlong.

This was during a 10-minute spell of chaos following the ruled out goal that saw four players - Bradley Barry, Yaser Kasim, Tom Soares and Hope all booked as referee Charles Breakspear failed to control the game.

Town did have chances in the opening period. Delfouneso was put through twice in two minutes early on, but on the first occasion he was tackled and on the second all he could muster was a curling attempt from the edge of the box that was easily claimed by Williams.

Kasim also had shots that went over, and a free-kick was tipped out for a corner.

Swindon were on the front foot in the second half, but just could not find that crucial leveller. Obika came closest when his shot just went wide after a low ball across the box from substitute John Goddard.

The Robins went close again, Kasim this time with the shot that was saved by Williams when he was teed up by James Brophy who opted to pass to the Iraqi instead of going for glory himself.

It was all to no avail, however, and Town now need a positive result in the re-arranged derby against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.