CONOR McDonagh bagged a third successive Southern League brace at the Webbswood Stadium on Saturday as Swindon Supermarine downed dark horses Hartley Wintney 3-2.

McDonagh struck twice in the second half to compliment Harry Williams’ first half effort and extend Lee Spalding’s side’s unbeaten league run into its 12th week.

Three points for Marine pushed them four points clear of Taunton, and means they have now registered an impressive points-per-game return of two throughout the season.

Spalding even admits Saturday’s win could’ve been even greater had his players’ final pass been that little more accurate.

He added: “Hartley Wintney started very well – they were on the front foot for the first 15 minutes.

“We hardly had a touch, but limited them to minimal chances. I thought we did well to keep our shape and discipline in that time.

“When we did start, I thought we played some great football in the first half. We should’ve gone in at half time two or three nil up, to be honest.

“I feared us missing chances could come back to haunt us, because they had a lot of quality going forward.

“If our final ball was better, we could’ve won by four or five. The score flattered them a bit, based on how we played and the chances we created.”

Despite being keen not to take the gloss off of what was a fine team performance, Spalding admitted after the game that he would like to see more from his defenders – and therefore has prioritised keeping a clean sheet when Marine visit Yate on Tuesday.

Yate defeated promotion hopefuls Taunton 4-1 at home on Saturday, suggesting Marine will come up against some stiff midweek attacking play.

Spalding added: “Both goals were quite sloppy to concede, though their first was a good finish.

“It’s an area we’ve got to make sure we concentrate getting better at. I want us to be keeping clean sheets, because we have a goal threat in us.

“It’s a case of tightening up at the back and not giving teams opportunities to score soft goals against us.

“Overall, I’m delighted with the performance.”

Elsewhere, Highworth Town were without a Southern League Division One fixture this weekend and return to action on Saturday when Winchester City visit the Save on Tyres Stadium.