A first-half brace from David McGoldrick ensured Notts County returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Swindon.

The Magpies started on the front foot and almost took an early lead when Sam Austin’s floated cross to the back post was met by the head of McGoldrick but he could only direct the ball onto the crossbar and Alassana Jatta failed to convert the rebound.

McGoldrick was not to be denied a second time, though, with the forward nodding home the opener in the 17th minute.

Swindon responded well, with Aaron Drinan trying his luck from range, but with goalkeeper Alex Bass seemingly beaten, the ball flew wide of the post.

County extended their lead after 35 minutes and McGoldrick had his second. A delightful defence-splitting pass from George Abbott left the striker one-v-one with Daniel Barden and McGoldrick finished emphatically.

The Irishman could have made it a hat-trick early in the second half. Jatta burst forward and threaded the ball through to McGoldrick, but this time around he could only fire over on the stretch.

Austin came close to adding a third but the wing-back’s strike was well-saved by substitute goalkeeper Jack Bycroft.