GARY Madine’s strike eight minutes before half-time ended Swindon Town’s winning run in League One, as they were beaten 1-0 at Carlisle United this afternoon.

Madine had all the time he needed to turn inside the Swindon box and slot home the first goal of his return to Brunton Park in the 37th minute of the game, and the Cumbrians held on to complete a vital victory in their battle to beat relegation.

Swindon boss Mark Cooper made one change to his starting line-up following the victory over Sheffield United a week previously, with Massimo Luongo replacing Ben Gladwin in the middle of midfield. Gladwin dropped to the bench, where he was joined by Alex Pritchard on his return from suspension.

Swindon were largely anonymous for most of the first half and deservedly trailed at the break. Wes Foderingham had kept the scores level with a fabulous save from Madine’s bullet header midway through the period but he could do little to prevent the former Town transfer target collecting a Chris Chantler cross in the area, turning in the six-yard box and firing home.

The visitors improved significantly after the interval, with Pritchard and Michael Smith both spurning gilt-edged chances, while Alex Smith forced a good save out of Jordan Pickford with a long-range free-kick.

Carlisle had good cause to claim a penalty when Jack Stephens appeared to handle in the box, meanwhile, but referee Nigel Miller was unmoved.

And neither side were able to add further to the scoreline, as the hosts claimed all three points.