NO side in League One has caused so many problems for Swindon Town this season and been left with such scant reward.

No goals and no points were a lot less than Chesterfield deserved last night – but that’s what they got.

Town showed a ruthlessness absent from their performance at the weekend, scoring twice against the run of play in the first half, through a Yaser Kasim free-kick and Nathan Byrne thunderbolt.

Andy Williams, again coming on from the bench, completed the scoring in the second, to delight the travelling supporters.

Wins like this that do not tell the story of a game – but that will bother Mark Cooper little as his side went back up to third in the table.

A clean sheet, under the intense pressure they endured, is not be sniffed at and was a perfect response to their defensive frailties of late.

For the first time in what seems an age, it was Swindon who were second best in a first half.

Their inconsistent hosts showed why they have caused so much bother to the league’s top six already this season.

Stats may have showed Swindon had more of the ball, but unlike at Yeovil and Leyton Orient, Chesterfield’s energy was channelled into chances rather than simply stopping Town playing.

That pattern did not change in the second half as the Spireites continued to pour forward, albeit with Town carrying more threat and scoring a goal that better reflected their share of the play.

Nathan Thompson made a much-needed return to the Town team along with Jonathan Obika – two players who started against Yeovil but had not been in the first XI since, obviously for slightly different reasons.

The game started at an intense pace, both sides swapping chances inside the first minute.

From the kick-off Byrne made a burst down the right, found Michael Smith inside the box, he teed up Louis Thompson but the midfielder’s strike was high into the night sky.

Eoin Doyle is League One’s top scorer and Town immediately had a glimpse of why, Dan Gardner providing a dangerous ball to find a lurking Doyle, whose first-time volley was wide.

Doyle and Gardner were bright and offered a constant threat in the first 15 minutes. They took it in turns to provide scares for the travelling Swindon contingent.

First Gardner cut back inside from the left and unleashed a fierce drive that did not quite come back enough to get inside the post.

He turned provider for Doyle next, feeding the Irishmen and drawing a heroic block from Nathan Thompson to prevent a goal.

A rapid Town break then created the most clear goalscoring chance you will see all season.

Massimo Luongo picked up the ball on the half turn and drove at the Spireites defence. He slipped in Obika, who rounded the keeper but missed the target with the whole goal to aim at. It was a shocking miss.

Samy Morsy, Sam Clucas and Jimmy Ryan all had turns at testing Wes Foderingham, albeit from range.

Each effort had a similar theme, the moves developing down the home side’s right as the Spireites exploited Byrne’s advanced position and drew Jack Stephens too far from his own goal.

Gardner was often the provider, looking to have the Southampton defender for pace with ease and combining well with left-back Daniel Jones.

Despite the pressure, Foderingham was only tested once, getting a fantastic strong hand to keep out Morsy’s fierce shot from the edge of the box.

However the home side’s dominance was undone, Town striking twice to take a lead that their play did not merit.

Driving runs from Louis Thompson and Byrne gave Kasim a couple of chances to strike a dead ball.

It was the second that opened the scoring, swerving viciously to beat Tommy Lee from the best part of 30 yards.

Barely four minutes later, Town’s unexpected lead was increased. Byrne brought down Kasim’s switch of play and tormented Jones.

The Town man’s first effort was blocked but there was no stopping his second, which flew past a helpless Lee.

Chesterfield did not take this double blow to heart and spent the remaining 14 minutes piling the pressure back on their visitors.

Jones and Gardner again were the main threats but their only clear-cut chance came to Clucas who headed over under pressure from Jordan Turnbull.

Town started the second period with more purpose and created a couple of openings.

Luongo got a yard of space from a half-cleared corner but drilled his volley just wide. Then Smith took his turn to evade the post, whizzing a low drive outside the upright and just out of the reach on an onrushing Obika.

Obika’s confidence did not appear adversely affected by his miss in the first half. Driving at the Chesterfield back line with purpose he measured a lovely pass into the path of Smith.

Smith gathered well and looked set to add another to his tally but Lee saved well and Obika’s follow-up was blocked.

Continuing to persevere, Obika got a little closer with his next chance.

Town swept forward with a criss-cross of passes across the pitch, allowing Byrne to measure a cross. The former Spurs man met it well but striking the post.

He was replaced shortly after and the Town fans showed him their appreciation, singing his name as he was withdrawn for Williams.

They were soon celebrating with the substitute.

Byrne drove forward and slid Williams in. He had a couple of goes at getting his shot off and eventually had the simple task of rolling into an empty net.

Chesterfield continued to chase the game, allowing for a couple of openings at either end, but no more goals were forthcoming.

As the game drew to a close, Town showed the measure of control that is becoming so common a sight to their fans.

No doubt they had been given a serious test last night – but they rode their luck and came through it.

n SWINDON Town’s FA Cup first-round tie at Cheltenham has been confirmed for Saturday, November 8 with a 3pm kick-off.

Ticket prices for the trip to Whaddon Road are: Hazlewoods Stand - adult - £23; Over-65, Disabled - £17; Under 18 - £9. Disabled supporters are charged a concessionary rate with helper admitted free.