SWINDON Town Reserves remain bottom of the Central League after falling to a 4-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle at Cirencester today.

Alan McLoughlin’s men conceded twice in either half as Argyle dominated large parts of the game, restricting Town to only a handful of chances.

McLoughlin made four changes to the side that lost out to Forest Green a week ago.

Archie Matthews started in goal for Town while Elliot Dugan, Teoman Atik and Jacob Bancroft – all of whom featured during the second half of last week’s Central League fixture – also lined up.

Argyle were first to threaten when Dan Rooney’s dangerous cross met the head of Harry Downing, but his effort went over.

Alex Battle put the visitors ahead minutes later though when beating Matthews to his right with a finely placed shot from inside the area.

Argyle doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Battle’s cross from the right allowed Alex Fletcher to score from close range.

Further efforts from goalscorers Fletcher and Battle failed to find the back of the net as Argyle ended the first half with a comfortable two-goal advantage.

Town showed signs of composure at the start of the second half.

Increased possession led to Jacob Bancroft unleashing an unchallenged strike from just outside the 18-yard box, but his effort went sailing over the crossbar.

But hopes of Town gaining anything from this clash were dashed when Lionel Ainsworth completed a well-worked Argyle goal from inside the area.

Matthews was then forced into making a one-on-one save when Joel Grant broke free on the left.

Grant’s initial shot was saved by Town’s keeper, though the 30-year-old’s follow up effort could only strike the nearside of the post.

Lionel Ainsworth bagged his second of the game on 79 minutes after Matthews’ initial saved was latched onto by the former Motherwell winger.

He could’ve struck a hat-trick moments later after Luke Jephcott’s strike struck the post and rebounded back into the 18-yard box. But Ainsworth’s powerful drive from close range was confidently blocked by Matthews.

The loss means Town remain bottom of the Central League South West division while Plymouth Argyle leapfrog Bristol Rovers into second.

Swindon Town Reserves: Archie Matthews (GK), Paulo Giamatteii, Louis Spalding, Luke Haines, Joe Romanski (Harry Drag 82’), Ralph Graham, Ollie Rejek, Tommy Ouldridge, Elliot Dugan, Teoman Atik (Harry Stanley 68’), Jacob Bancroft (Jay Dunstan-Digweed 79’).

Plymouth Argyle Reserves: Kyle Letheren (GK), Harry Hodges, Harry Downing, Aaron Taylor Sinclair (Elliot Crawford 69’), Ryan Law, Dan Rooney, Cameron Sangster (Matt Ward 69’), Lionel Ainsworth, Joel Grant, Alex Battle, Alex Fletcher (Luke Jephcott 63’).