NOVEMBER had promised so much more for Town fans.

It even started with fireworks, but ended with one of the most dismal defeats in the club's history.

An encouraging win on the last day of October 3-1 against Cambridge saw an immediate increase in attendances but no improvement in idiosyncratic refereeing.

The home match against Wycombe saw Town keeper Bart Griemink dismissed for a purely technical offence which even budding Graham Polls would find difficulty in making out as a real goalscoring chance.

Now it's time to get on our soapbox.

Supporters go to games to see 22 players in combat and they hope that their team will come out with a win.

Hopefully, somewhere in the mix is the hope of entertainment, but at present FIFA seem intent on reducing the number of team members, as quickly as possible.

Somewhere, spectators have to be considered, often travelling hundreds of miles, spending a great deal, only to have the match ruined by decisions based on recent rule changes.

When did an offence leading to a penalty award, ever deny a goalscoring opportunity?

And 90 per cent of penalties are probably scored, but how many players miss when well placed?

Surely informing FIFA that Swindon actually play better with ten men, as we did against Wycombe, will bring a swift rule change to minimise the positive effect on us.

Injury time goalscorer Alan Reeves, who is quickly developing cult status as a goalscorer, received a hero's reception as the team names were called out for the Wrexham match, but within 17 seconds of the game starting, we were a goal down (again!).

Silence enveloped the County Ground.

Fighting back, we were worth a point, but perhaps it was not what we were really looking for.

At least by the end of the evening we had a manager again as Andy King's appointment was made official.

The last time we conceded three goals at Peterborough it was courtesy of a Nicky Hammond howler.

That was in full gaze of the nation during a live televised match. We now go one better and concede four.

At least in our present position no-one outside the supporters of both teams took much notice.

The main difference is that then we were on our way up, but at present, we seem to be on a downward slide.

The situation now seems to be getting to the critical stage.

Fret, we did, for 44 minutes against Ilkeston Town, but in the end, after another refereeing howler against us, the game turned into a 'no contest'.

The only feature of the last 46 minutes were the number of really good chances missed, which should have at least doubled our tally of four.

Now on reflection, this could be the day our luck changes, because we actually managed to get through rounds of separate cup competitions on the same day, as we got a bye in the first round of the LDV Vans trophy.

This is probably a first in the history of the football club. A home draw in the next round of the F A Cup against a further non-League opponent in the shape of Gateshead, meant that for once, on a Saturday, luck was on our side.

This euphoric feeling did not last long, as within 10 minutes of the next game against Stoke we were

2-0 down, and it was a dismal display.

Four days later, Stoke were beaten 8-0 at home by Liverpool.

Who knows, we may ourselves be on the receiving end of such a result against Coventry, but I don't think so.