TOWN were condemned to a first defeat in six games despite a good performance in tricky conditions.
Manager Lee Clark’s side had plenty of possession and created a string of chances at a very windy County Ground.
However, they were caught by Charlie Austin’s 58th minute strike after the teams traded first half goals.
Boss Clark had named the same starting side for the seventh game running.
Swindon, seeking a third successive League victory, were also unchanged after Saturday’s 1-0 away at Carlisle, with on-loan Celtic man Simon Ferry in midfield and former Bradford City striker Billy Paynter, their top scorer with seven, up front.
Town began brightly enough and created the first two chances of the game.
Jordan Rhodes brought a smart save from Swindon keeper David Lucas with a well struck shot from 20 yards.
Then Anthony Pilkington crossed to striker Lee Novak, but his attempted shot on the turn was blocked.
Swindon’s Anthony McNamee was set up by Ferry in the seventh minute, but he shot poorly, giving Town keeper Alex Smithies a simple save.
Soon after Ferry fired a shot well wide from distance.
Town’s Antony Kay fired over from Robbie Williams’ pass and Lee Peltier had keeper Lucas scrambling to deal with a low cross whipped in from the right flank after 18 mins as Town continued to push forward.
However, it was the home fans who were celebrating as their side went in front on 24 minutes.
Town failed to deal with a long ball into the box and Austin set up Paynter, who drilled in a shot for his eighth goal of the campaign.
The setback was tough on Town, but the home side’s lead did not last for long.
Town were level four minutes later as Smithies long kick fell to Gary Roberts and he found Novak on the edge of the penalty area. The striker kept his cool and left Lucas rooted the spot with a shot into top corner of the net.
It was a sweet fifth goal in Town colours for the striker, who raced gleefully to the visiting contingent of fans.
It was a perfect response from Town, who followed up with two corners in quick succession to further test the home defence and minutes before half-time Kay came close with a shot from Novak’s lay-off which went just wide.
Town continued to push at the start of the second half and, after two further corners, skipper Peter Clarke shot against the bar from 25 yards in the 49th minute.
But the visitors had an escape on 53 minutes, when Jon-Paul McGovern’s wind-assisted corner swung across the face of goal with Paynter unable to supply the finishing touch.
Five minutes later Swindon were back in front with a goal created by left-back Lescinel Jean-Francois, who won a tackle with Pilkington on halfway and threaded a pass to the feet of Austin.
The ex-Poole Town forward had marked his full debut at Carlisle with his first Swindon goal and notched his second with a shot that gave Smithies no chance.
Town boss Clark made a double substitution on 70 minutes, bringing on Theo Robinson and Lionel Ainsworth for Gary Roberts and Novak.
Instantly Robinson got into a good position only to shoot over.
