Forest Green Rovers sunk to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Swindon Town this afternoon.

Second-half goals from Harry McKirdy and Tyreece Simpson condemned Rovers to just a second loss of the season.

Head Coach Rob Edwards made just the one change from Rovers’ impressive 2-0 win at Carlisle, with Scotsman Jack Aitchison coming in for Ebou Adams who is away with Gambia on international duty.

It was Rovers who had the first real chance to get in front on seven minutes. A great ball from the right by Kane Wilson put Aitchison one on one with keeper Lewis Ward.

The former FGR shot stopper rushed out to deny the original attempt before both Jamille Matt and Matty Stevens tried their luck, but referee Paul Howard saw something in the area and called a foul to spare the Robins’ blushes.

Five minutes later the away side had the ball in the net. Harry McKirdy made space to rifle a shot towards goal which was spilt by Luke McGee. Tyreece Simpson fumbled the follow in into the net only for the goal to be disallowed after a foul on Dom Bernard.

McGee was called into action once again just before the 30 minute mark. A poor clearance allowed the ball to fall to McKirdy just inside the Rovers area and It took a brilliant low save to deny the youngster from putting the away side in front.

The last notable chance of the half came via September player of the month Nicky Cadden. Rovers won a free-kick in a central position and the Scot set his sights at goal only to be denied by a flying save from Ward.

The half-time whistle sounded on what was a cagey opening 45 that saw both sides entangled in a real battle in front of a lively crowd in GL6.

Five minutes into the second half came the biggest chance of the game so far. A through ball by Bernard and a deft touch from Aitchison had him bearing down on goal. The Barnsley loanee looked destined to score but his shot strayed wide of the far post.

And Rovers were to rue that miss as minutes later Swindon were in front. A fizzed cross from the right by Ben Gladwin found McKirdy in the box who steered home his second goal in as many matches.

A flashed header from McKirdy almost made it two not long after but he couldn’t quite divert his effort on target.

Just past the hour mark and Rovers came extremely close to drawing level. Some sloppy defending allowed Wilson to set Stevens in the box. The striker scuffed his effort toward the far corner only to be denied by the fingertips of Ward.

On came Jake Young and he was next to test the on form Ward as his acrobatic save kept out a deflected shot before Stevens couldn’t divert his header on target.

Rovers just couldn’t beat the former Rovers man and as they did in the first half they paid the price. McKirdy drove into the box before dinking the ball to Simpson for a tap in on the line.

Substitute Josh March won a penalty in stoppage time and had the chance to net a consolation, but the former FGR keeper Ward saved the spot kick to ensure the three points were heading back to Wiltshire.

Next for FGR is the rearranged Papa John’s Trophy game against Brighton and Hove Albion U21’s on Tuesday before a return to League Two action away to Scunthorpe next weekend.