Swindon Town’s hopes of automatic promotion suffered a setback as they were beaten 3-0 by Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two.

The hosts made a bright start and were unfortunate not to take the lead inside 11 minutes, with Ellis Iandolo striking the post from 20 yards before Jack Payne slammed the rebound against the upright.

The game swung decisively in Colchester’s favour in the 29th minute when Swindon were reduced to 10 men, James Ball shown a straight red card for a challenge on Fin Barbrook.

Colchester made their numerical advantage count early in the second half. Arthur Read opened the scoring in the 48th minute, firing a deflected effort beyond Connor Ripley from the edge of the area after being teed up by Owura Edwards.

The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later, Will Goodwin sending a downward header into the far corner from Iandolo’s cross.

Swindon struggled to recover and Colchester wrapped up the points when Harry Anderson squeezed Iandolo’s delivery past Ripley at the far post to make it 3-0.

It compounded a miserable evening for the visitors when manager Ian Holloway was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute following an exchange with the fourth official.

Colchester see off Swindon to dent promotion push

Colchester see off Swindon to dent promotion push