Swindon's automatic promotion hopes suffered a blow after they crashed to a 3-0 League Two defeat at Colchester.

The hosts were unfortunate not to score in the 11th minute when Ellis Iandolo clattered a post with a 20-yard strike, before Jack Payne smacked the woodwork with the follow up.

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Swindon were then reduced to 10 men in the 29th minute when James Ball was shown a straight red card for a foul on Fin Barbrook.

Colchester were ahead in the 48th minute when Arthur Read struck a deflected shot past goalkeeper Connor Ripley from the edge of the area, from Owura Edwards' pass.

It was 2-0 six minutes later when Will Goodwin sent a downward header in at the far post, following Iandolo's cross.

Harry Anderson then added a third for Colchester when he squeezed Iandolo's delivery past Ripley at the far post.

Swindon boss Ian Holloway was shown a straight red card in the 83rd minute for something said to the fourth official, to complete a miserable night for the visitors, who remain fifth.

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