Swindon Town 5-0 Portsmouth

Second half substitute James Collins hit four goals in 20 minutes to help Town hammer struggling Portsmouth at the County Ground on Tuesday.

Collins’ introduction ignited what had been a comparatively tepid opening hour of the clash: the first league meeting between the sides since 1999.

After starting a goalless first half slowly, Town nearly went in front after 24 minutes, as Matt Ritchie picked out Chris Martin with an excellent cross, but the striker could only nod wide when well placed.

Pompey left-back Mustapha Dumbuya went close on two occasions in a turgid first half, but saw two left footed snap shots flash just wide of Wes Foderingham’s goal.

Town were still enjoying the best of the action as they went into the break, but seemingly could find no way past Simon Eastwood in the visitors’ goal.

This trend looked set to continue into the second period, and Guy Whittingham’s strugglers went desperately close to taking the lead on 48 minutes as midfielder Lee Williamson rattled the crossbar with an effort from 20 yards.

However, with the game in the balance, Collins came on to wrestle the initiative away from the visitors.

His first goal came within just two minutes of his introduction, as he rose highest to power home a corner from former Pompey man Ritchie.

He buried his second with a close range header, before teeing up Danny Hollands with a close range finish to make it three on 69 minutes.

He completed his hat trick four minutes later with a clinical finish, before stooping to power home another Ritchie cross to make it five and cap a whirlwind half hour.

Town’s second successive 5-0 home victory, combined with Collins’ 12-minute hat-trick will give Paolo Di Canio and his side plenty of confidence going into this Saturday’s clash with Carlisle United at SN1.