George Cox’s last-gasp penalty handed League Two strugglers Swindon a vital 3-2 win over Colchester.

The Robins threw away an early lead, having gone ahead through Ollie Clarke, when old boy Jack Payne converted twice from the spot.

But Aaron Drinan levelled in the 82nd minute before Cox struck at the death to move Swindon four points above the relegation zone.

Town went ahead in the 15th minute when captain Clarke got a faint touch on Will Wright’s inswinging free-kick.

Clarke then hit a vicious dipping volley that Matt Macey did well to parry over before he went full length to deny Harry Smith’s curler.

Payne levelled when Joel Cotterill chopped down Harry Anderson a minute before the break.

His second penalty in the 61st minute put the U’s ahead after Daniel Barden’s needless trip on Anderson.

Drinan was sent through on goal but smashed against the bar.

But he made no mistake when he nutmegged the keeper from a narrow angle eight minutes from time.

Robins defender Cox then hit the bar in the dying seconds and Nnamdi Ofoborh drilled inches wide before ex-Town defender Ellis Iandolo saw red for a double foul.

Cox then drilled in from the spot after a Tom Flanagan handball.