The heavily-anticipated visit by a similarly underperforming Oxford side looked to be the perfect opportunity to put points on the board after defeats at Cheltenham and Dagenham, but again defensive mistakes meant Swindon were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of experience at the back.
The intense rivalry shared by these two was further ignited during the build up to the fixture as Town boss Paolo Di Canio naively suggested that Oxford striker James Constable had Swindon affiliations despite wearing the Yellow United shirt for a living.
And it was a first half brace from Constable that condemned Town to a derby day defeat in what was a fiery encounter at the County Ground on Sunday afternoon. The striker - currently the subject of interest and a bid from Luton Town - proved his worth with a well-taken double as the Robins were left to rue missed opportunities and defensive frailties at set pieces.
Despite seemingly being on top for large periods of the game, the hosts struggled to break down a resilient United defence led by the experience of 35-year old Michael Duberry - an indication of what Town have lacked for well over a year now.
It was, however, the visitors who made the brighter start, as Alfie Potter benefited from a hesitant Callum Kennedy before finding Lewis Guy with his cross, who saw Swindon 'keeper Phil Smith comfortably gather his tame eight-yeard effort.
Smith could do nothing to thwart United just minutes later though, as the Di Canio-labelled Swindon fan Constable powerfully headed home a Peter Leven corner unmarked before proceeding to kiss the Oxford badge in celebration as the visitors took a deserved lead.
Town reacted well to going behind, however, with debutant Leon Clarke and a revitalised Matt Ritchie both going close to equalising from long range, and the latter eventually did after twenty minutes. Despite being tightly man-marked by Oxford's Andy Whing, Swindon left back Kennedy found space to fire a pinpoint cross into the United box, with Ritchie meeting it with power and precision to give the hosts a quick-fire equaliser.
The goal both shell-shocked the U's and revitalised a previously shaky Town team as the visitors came under increasing pressure from a home side who were visibly growing in confidence. And with the impetus now firmly with them, the Robins might have gone in front just five minutes later, but Rafaelle De Vita could only divert a difficult chance over the bar.
Swindon continued to look the better team and were denied twice more before the half came to an end. First, Aden Flint's towering header across goal was dealt with by the impressive Duberry, before Ritchie unleashed another strike from range, but saw his shot fly just wide of the post as Town searched for another clear-cut opportunity.
A dominant period of play ended in disaster for the Robins though as Oxford won a dubious free kick ina good area, with Leven promptly delivering a dangerous cross into the Town box, with Constable again the beneficiary as the ball ricocheted off of his chest and into the back of the net.
It was a cruel but unsuprising blow for the hosts who, despite controlling the half for large parts, paid the price for poor defensive work at set pieces - something Di Canio must address in the coming weeks.
The second half began like much of the first panned out, with Swindon again again in the ascendancy, yet with little to show for their efforts in terms of attempts on goal. The growing frustrations of Town fans and Di Canio alike were becoming more and more evident and ten minutes into the second half, the Italian - infamous for his fiery temperament - was sent to the stands for remonstrating with the assistant referee over an offside decision.
In a desperate bid to get back into the game and despite managing Town from the stands, Di Canio showed his true intentions of winning the game by bringing on a further two forwards in the form of Mehdi Kerrouche and Alan Connell. And it was the lively Kerrouche who was influential in set up Clarke as Swindon chased that elusive equaliser, with the Algerian striker controlling a Ritchie cross before poking it into the path of Clarke, but the debutant blasted over from eight-yeards out.
Town continued to huff and puff but Clarke's miss was looking increasingly pivotal as the match wore on and the forced withdrawal of the injured Kerrouche only further disrupting the hosts' already dwindling momentum.
New signing Lander Gabilondo was given the final fifteen minutes to get accustomed to the English game and he almost made an immediate an immediate impression, beating Whing on the left before cutting inside, only to see his shot well blocked with the Oxford defence once more showing their efficiency and resilience and maintaining United's lead.
Half chances fell to both Gabilondo and Connell late on but there was seemingly no way through a stubborn U's backline. The final whistle sounded soon after and whilst Oxford fans were jubilant, Town supporters are left to reflect on an underwhelming start to the season that has seen their team earn just three points from a possible twelve.Whilst the majority of supporters understand that a changed team will not gel immediately, there are some tough challenges ahead for current side. Consecutive away games see Swindon travel first to Bristol City to face the Championship side in the resheduled Carling Cup first round tie before a strong Shrewsbury Town side host Town, with much needed wins looking likely to be hard to accumulate.
Still, Town fans remain optimistic with what is a strong looking squad, which can now boast internationals for Namibia, Ghana and following Lukas Magera's arrival yesterday, the Czech Republic. Despite the defeat, the performance on the pitch was encouraging for Swindon supporters and there are undoubtedly brighter things to come.
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