Former BBC Wiltshire match commentator Vic Morgan writes his weekly blog…

Where to start? Well I suppose at Scunthorpe last weekend. Arguably one of the worst forty five minutes I’ve ever witnessed from a Town team and that’s saying something.

A first half of absolute chaos and that’s despite Swindon being on top for the first ten minutes or so. There’s nothing I can say that’s positive about that opening period. I guess it could have been more if the Iron had really gone for it.

As for any steel? None in evidence from the Wiltshire side at Glanford Park. It seemed to me that the body language of the team summed up the day. Down, dejected and looking rather sorry for themselves is not being harsh. It was quite simply abject.

At least after the break Swindon salvaged some pride. It was good to see Michael Doughty back and making a difference and, of course, skipper Nathan Thompson popped up with a goal to mean we won the second half.

Just unfortunate we’d lost the first so heavily. It was a long and rather rueful journey home. Thoughts of how this season is going being the main topic of conversation until a few silly supporters coach photos lifted the spirits.

It was a long week waiting for the next game too. After the Scunthorpe submission the little matter of an FA Cup tie at National League Eastleigh awaited. A prospect that might chill the soul a little.

It doesn’t need me to tell you that our recent record in the competition is shocking. Just one goal and no wins since our memorable win over Wigan in the distant past and that goal was a late penalty at Rochdale last season.

Confidence was not high when travelling along the south coast on a wet, cold Friday afternoon. An early bonus though, I arrived at the ground so early I was able to grab a parking space before the stewards had arrived. An omen perhaps of more good fortune to come?

I was also pleased to have a long chat with former Town striker and midfielder Lee Peacock before the game. Now part of the Eastleigh set up, Lee was full of enthusiasm about his new role as a coach. He was also complimentary about the Swindon style, while perhaps hoping his present club may be able to turn his old one over.

The Town fans were gathered in a rather enormous stand behind one goal. I’d even go so far as to say it was cavernous.

As far as the game goes, it was a better display than the one at Scunthorpe six days ago. Let’s face it, it couldn’t have been worse. Mind you Lawrence Vigouroux was called on to make a sharp save as the home side made the early running. A certain James Constable was rather obviously, the target of the Town fans. He looked determined to get a goal which would have pleased some of the assembled fans from a side along the A420 who’d for some reason come to the game. It wasn’t to be though.

Even though a shock looked on the cards when Eastleigh took the lead, a Doughty penalty and an incredible BOO goal line clearance forced a replay. As for the goal that never was? Whether Luke Norris’s header was over the line was impossible to see from where we were. The pinkish ball, the poor lights and ridiculous perimeter advertising, made anything at the other end very difficult to view.

A replay the week after next then and a place in the second round draw for the first time in five years. Next it’s a Checkatrade Trophy tie this Tuesday at Exeter. As it’s the closest ground to where I live, I went to St.James’ Park to see the Grecians bow out of the Cup to Luton on Saturday. The game featured former Town men Alan Sheehan, Scott Cuthbert and Jonathan Smith for the Hatters, Lee Holmes and Troy Archibald Henville for Exeter. Oh and some shocking refereeing decisions.

As always keep it loud keep it proud keep it SWINDON!