It was over 10 years ago that Swindon trounced Stoke City in a memorable 6 - 0 home victory.

Ossie Ardiles' rampant Town trampled all over dismal Stoke to record their biggest league victory since 1978.

Brilliantly though Swindon played, City contributed to their own downfall with some truly dire defending.

The home side concocted some wonderful football and thrilled the County Ground with a selection of beautifully-crafted goals.

However, their opener was less than artistic.

Duncan Shearer miss-hit his attempted back heel to Alan McLoughlin on the edge of the area, but the bungling Stoke rearguard allowed it to bobble through anyway.

McLoughlin ran on and scuffed his shot, but goalkeeper Scott Barrett was wrong-footed and the ball dribbled almost apologetically into the net.

Town doubled their advantage after 24 minutes when Shearer lashed the ball into the top corner from 22 yards.

It was still 2-0 at half-time, but the home side steppd up a gear after the interval.

They scored again when Colin Calderwood challenged for Fitzroy Simpson's corner and the ball squirted off the shin of Stoke's ex-Town striker Dave Bamber for an own goal.

Left-back Phil King had been sold to Sheffield Wednesday after the previous game, and many felt that he would be difficult to replace.

However, Paul Bodin, who had played a handful of games in midfield, moved into the back four and went on to become one of the most accomplished defenders in Town's history.

The Welshman played an instrumental role in the fourth goal, described by manager Ardiles as one of the best he had ever seen.

Bodin marauded down the left touchline, linking perfectly with Simpson, and delivered a pinpoint curling cross to the far post where Steve White met it with a fierce volley into the net.

The fifth came on 79 minutes as McLoughlin's through-ball left Shearer in acres of space with the Stoke defence conspicuous by its absence. The Scot thumped emphatically past the stricken Barrett.

White compounded the visitors' misery with four minutes remaining, heading home at the back post after Simpson's left-wing raid had produced another inviting centre.

Ardiles had crafted an attackign Town side that went on to finish fourth in the old Division Two.

They won the play-offs but were harshly denied promotion because of financial irregularities.