Swindon Town remain dangerously close to the League Two relegation zone after a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale, who moved into the play-off positions with the win.
The Robins suffered their fourth defeat of the season, leaving them 21st in League Two, just three points clear of the relegation zone. A spirited but ultimately fruitless display saw them succumb to a 2-1 loss at Port Vale, who extended their unbeaten run to five games and rose to fifth in the table.
Vale started the stronger side, dominating the first half but unable to convert their numerous chances. Swindon goalkeeper Jack Bycroft made a series of important saves, including a fine stop from Jayden Stockley early in the second half. However, Swindon nearly took an unexpected lead against the run of play in the 51st minute when Aaron Drinan’s drilled effort rattled the post, leaving the hosts momentarily stunned.
Vale eventually capitalized on their sustained pressure when George Byers headed in from a Tom Sang corner in the 62nd minute. The match seemed sealed in the 85th minute as Brandon Cover intercepted deep in Swindon’s half and lobbed the ball over Bycroft to double Vale’s advantage. Despite a late free-kick goal from captain Will Wright, Swindon couldn’t muster a comeback, and the home side held on for a deserved three points.
Swindon manager Mark Kennedy reflected on the physical challenge posed by Port Vale, acknowledging, “Physically, we had a really tough day at the office. We knew Port Vale’s direct approach would cause us trouble, and we struggled to cope with it, particularly on set pieces. The goal we conceded was disappointing; players switched off, and it was a soft goal to concede.”
Kennedy also addressed the squad’s limitations: “I’m frustrated because we’re missing so much physicality. It wasn’t about players rolling over—they worked hard—but we’re missing key figures like Grant, Ryan, Harry, and Olly Clark, who’s a real presence in the air. We defended bravely at times but didn’t play with enough bravery on the ball, and that’s disappointing.”
“It’s tough to take because it comes down to individuals. You walk onto the pitch, retain information, and do your job. I want the same people doing the same jobs every week. Unfortunately, we’ve had to make changes. We spent a lot of time working on set pieces this week, but it’s tough to take when it doesn’t pay off. The lad who scored wasn’t the biggest player on the pitch, but the man designated to pick him up lost him completely.”
However, Kennedy remained optimistic about the road ahead: “The players care deeply—one was in tears after the game because he felt he let the team down, but he didn’t. We’ll attack the next game with everything we’ve got. I’ve got unshakable belief in this group, and we’ll be ready for Tuesday.”
Next up for Swindon and their under fire manager is a tough trip to Tranmere Rovers, who are just three points above them in the table.
Writer’s View
This defeat shows just how fine the margins are for Swindon at the moment. Despite defending bravely for large spells, they struggled to impose their own style, and physicality remains a clear issue. With key players missing, it’s becoming increasingly tough to match teams like Port Vale, who exploited Swindon’s lack of aerial presence and punished their lapses at set pieces.
That said, Kennedy’s belief in his squad is admirable, if perhaps misplaced. He clearly feels like they’re close to turning a corner. A few lucky breaks, perhaps, and some key returns from injury could make all the difference. But time is running out, and Swindon need to start converting these hard-fought performances into points soon if they want to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.
