A DOUBLE from Hallam Hope proved in vain as Swindon Town suffered their first defeat of the pre-season campaign.

Town found themselves four goals down in today's friendly at Northern Premier League outfit Ashton United before half-time but rallied after the break and were beaten 4-3.

The starting line-up included the likes of Michael Doughty, Rob Hunt and Mathieu Baudry, together with summer signings Diallang Jaiyesimi, Tyler Smith and Jack Payne.

The hosts opened the scoring on 10 minutes and surged ahead against the League Two champions, who were rounding off their tour of Manchester.

Smith cut the arrears at the interval with a close-range finish from Matt Smith’s cross.  

Hope entered the fray at the break alongside Anthony Grant and pulled another goal back on 62 minutes, but his second of the afternoon arrived in stoppage time and proved too little, too late.

TOWN STARTING XI: Matthews; Reid, Baudry, Curran, Hunt; M Smith, Doughty, Payne, Jaiyesimi, Twine; T Smith