PLAYER RATINGS: Swindon Town (0) v (3) Plymouth Argyle

SWINDON TOWN were knocked out of the Leasing.com trophy tonight as Plymouth Argyle secured an impressive three-nil victory at the County Ground. Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins player ratings following the heavy defeat.

GK: Steven Benda (6)

Making his full debut, Steven Benda made some good reaction saves in the first half but too often flapped at crosses delivered into his box. Was helpless for the opening goal after Rudden headed it back across his body but recovered from the goal well to stop the visitors making two-nil after saving well with his feet from a Joel Grant shot in the 23rd minute. 

Performed well despite conceding three goals and was let down by his defenders. Produced some decent saves to keep the scoreline down to just three. 

RB: Tyler Reid (4)

Endured a torrid game and looked out-of-sorts against a physical Plymouth front-line. Was too easily beaten by his opposite man on the wings and didn’t do enough to stop balls into the Swindon box. Tried to get forward more in the second-half but was sloppy in possession. This game will be a learning curve for Reid. 

CB: Taylor Curran (5)

On his first full debut for the club, Taylor Curran appeared to struggle with the physicality of Plymouth’s front line. Brought the ball out from the back well and looked confident in possession but was too easily outmuscled by Plymouth’s attackers when the away side got into dangerous positions. Was subbed off late in the first half for a head injury. 

CB: Gabriel Zakuani (4.5)

Signed on a six-month deal prior to Saturday’s defeat to Bradford and found life difficult alongside Curran in the first-half. Struggled to deal with the pace of Plymouth’s counter-attack in the opening periods and was shown a yellow for a dangerous tackle on Rudden in the 26th minute. 

Was too easily beaten by Joel Grant in the 26th minute as the striker easily skipped past the Town defender before curling in Plymouth’s second. Improved in the second half but looked all over the place at times. 

LB: Ellis Iandolo (5)

Bombed on down the wing well in the first-half and had a chance to test Plymouth keeper Mike Cooper early on but put his effort into the side-netting. Was at times caught too far forward and his attacking intent too often outweighed his defensive responsibilities. Subbed off due to injury in the second half. 

RM: Adam May (5)

Moved the ball around well in the first half but appeared to offer very little attacking threat. Attempted to break up play when Plymouth countered but struggled to make much of an impact in the first-half. Didn’t improve much in the second-half and appeared, like many of his teammates, to drift through the match. CM: Danny Rose (4.5)

Pretty much non-existent in the first-half. Made some simple passes but a poor touch often allowed Plymouth to dispossess him. Offered little in attack as the Argyle players moved the ball around him with ease. Failed to improve in the second half as Plymouth ran riot at the County Ground. 

LM: Michael Doughty (5)

Was the main link between Swindon’s attack and defence but didn’t provide much threat when Swindon burst forward. Created space well for himself on occasions but lacked the penetration needed to test the Plymouth defence. Should’ve done better with his header in the 30th minute but put it well wide. Cut a frustrated figure in the second half and with Swindon never looking like scoring. 

RW: Kaiyne Woolery (3.5)

Got the ball in some decent positions on the edge of Plymouth’s area in the first-half before running into trouble and losing possession. Used his pace well to find gaps in the Plymouth back-line but poor decision making saw him waste chances. 

Dropped deeper in the second-half in an attempt to get more of the ball but was ill effective. Looked low on confidence and would be surprised to see him start on Saturday. 

LW: Lloyd Isgrove (5.5)

Started on the left but was allowed to roam around the pitch as Swindon went on the hunt for goals. Got forward well and his neat footwork created space on the wings but lacked quality with his final balls. Can’t be faulted for his efforts but could do little to make any impact on the scoreline with Swindon being outclassed by Plymouth. 

ST: Eoin Doyle (5)

Managed one shot on target before being substituted in the second half and offered very little attacking threat. Was let down by a lack of service and Swindon must play to his strengths if he is to get back to his goal-scoring best. 

SUBSTITUTIONS: 

Scott Twine (N/A)

Introduced late in the second half with the scoreline already at three-nil and could do little to influence the game. 

Tom Broadbent (5)

Made a surprise appearance after replacing the injured Curran late in the first-half. Looked more confident than has done in his limited performances this season and did well to manage the threat of Rudden in the second-half but should’ve done better to get out and stop the shot for the third. 

Rob Hunt (N/A)

Came on to replace Iandolo in the second-half but had little effect on the game.