BEN Gladwin couldn’t put his finger on why Swindon Town were unable to find any of their natural rhythm as they crashed to a 1-0 home defeat to Oldham Athletic.

Gladwin made his comeback from a recent knee injury as a second-half substitute during the loss to the Latics, impressing with a number of classy touches in midfield, but he could not inspire his side to a share of the spoils.

After the match, the former Marlow midfielder told the Advertiser that Swindon’s poor display was a mystery to him.

“No, I couldn’t tell you,” he said, “I think we’ve done really well recently and we’ve dominated on the ball. Conditions didn’t help with the way we like to play and it’s hard with the ball up in the air, swirling around, you can’t judge it. It was disappointing.

“It was disappointing to concede when I came on. I thought we had started to play with a bit of a tempo and a bit of a purpose. I thought we were the better team, to be honest, so it was disappointing.”

Gladwin revealed that his knee condition is an ongoing problem that requires managing.

“I was disappointed to get a bit of a knock on my knee, so I’ve been out for a couple of weeks, and it was good of the gaffer to put me on today. I really enjoyed myself, to be honest, apart from the result,” he said.

“I had to have a scan and there is something wrong with it but it’s not anything I think I need sorting out right now. I just need to look after it.”

Next up for Town is a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy trip to Peterborough United on Wednesday and Gladwin recognised the need for Swindon’s players to quickly forget the defeat to Oldham.

“It’s a massive game,” he said. “It’s important for the boys to get our heads back up and get our heads up for Wednesday.”