Rochdale 2 - 4 Swindon: Rampant Robins rock Rochdale

Posted Wednesday, April 15, 2015 by PA

Ben Gladwin scored a hat-trick as Swindon delivered a hefty blow to Rochdale's play-off hopes with a 4-2 win at Spotland.

Gladwin's treble came in the first half as the Robins roared into a four-goal lead before the break.

There were chances at both ends in the first 45 minutes with Rochdale twice hitting the woodwork through Michael Rose and Ian Henderson.

But Swindon were clinical when chances fell their way and they surged ahead through Gladwin after 20 minutes and doubled their advantage via Michael Smith three minutes later.

Gladwin slotted home his second goal after 33 minutes, making the most of some poor defending from the home side, and he completed his hat-trick with a penalty five minutes before the break after being brought down by Rhys Bennett.

Rochdale pulled one back with a penalty of their own before the interval - Andy Cannon was felled by Sam Ricketts and Henderson converted the spot-kick.

After the break, Dale goalkeeper Jamie Jones made a terrific double save to deny Jon Obika while at the other end the home side were frustrated by a well-drilled Swindon defence until time added on when Nathan Thompson turned Reuben Noble-Lazarus' cross into his own net.