Peterborough 4, Swindon Town 0: If Andy King had been in any doubt about the size of his task at Swindon Town then this 90-minute humiliation served to show just how much hard work lies ahead.

After four games of spirit, determination and, at times exciting football, this match came as a nasty shock to the system. It was a reminder that it will take more than a few good games to fix what is wrong at the County Ground.

Those results served only as a sticking plaster across the great gash of a wound that has been left post Colin Todd. Outclassed, outplayed, outbattled and simply out of sorts. Town were a shadow of the side which had shown some promise of an improvement in recent weeks.

Indeed it seemed somewhat ironic that these same 11 players had been praised earlier in midweek for earning King the managerís job. A good display at Notts County, a win against Cambridge and two fighting draws against Wycombe and Wrexham had given everyone hope that maybe King had the magic touch.

After this performance not even the combined powers of Paul Daniels, Ali Bongo, David Copperfield and The Great Suprendo could have conjured up a victory. It was simply awful from start to finish, with perhaps the only saving grace that Town did actually create a number of late chances.

Even they, however, would have done little to detract from a game which leaves Andy King looking down both barrels after only one game as permanent boss. The last thing he needs right now is a potential banana skin of an FA Cup clash next week when Town entertain Dr Martenís side Ilkeston.

Because, and this is no over-reaction, another all-round defensive display like this one could see a repeat of the famous Stevenage fiasco of a few years back. I hope the team realise that they let King and the travelling supporters down badly on Saturday and that they do pull things around in time. Many of them, however, will not get the chance to show their remorse.

King is already poised to enter the transfer market and I suspect more than a couple of this side will pay the penalty for a completely shoddy showing. The four goals themselves served to show all that is wrong with Swindon Town they cannot defend. One look at the goals against record will tell you that Town are leaking more than the Titanic and it must stop if they are to stay afloat in Division Two, let alone make a late bid for the play-offs as is Chairman Terry Bradyís wish.

Veteran Alan Reevesí suspension did not help matters as King was forced to switch things at the back. He kept with a three-man middle and two sweepers springing a surprise as he recalled Aussie Mark Robertson into the right wing-back role. Mark Robinson was teamed up with Adam Willis and Antoine van der Linden in the heart of defence and Sol Davis played on the left.

It was a move which clearly did not work as Robertson, who has also played across midfield and up-front already this season, was pulled about and beaten time after time as Peterborough raided forward. King replaced him at half time and switched back to a 4-4-2 formation, but things did not look any better.

Only the constant cheering and support from the Town fans kept the spirits up as Town put on a display as poor as the weather. Admittedly, the match was played in horrendous conditions, but that could be no excuse for Townís inept display. You could sense it was going to be one of those days when, after an even opening 10 minutes Townís defence started to look dodgy.

Van der Linden misjudged a header back to keeper Griemink, former Forest striker Jason Lee nipped in to attack goal but Davis was quick off the mark to force the Peterborough man wide. Danny Invincible saw an effort squirm wide of goal and then Griemink held on to a bouncing effort from Richard Forsyth before a 24th minute moment which could have changed the entire pattern of the game.

A neat move from Town started with Ian Woan who fed Martin Williams, the striker turned on the edge of the box and fed Robertson on the right wing who played in a great ball to the near post. Bobby Howe was first to it but he first miskicked his effort with only keeper Mark Tyler to beat and then as the ball bounced back to him he slipped and miskicked again as the ball was cleared.

Two minutes later and Town were behind. Keith OíHalloranís attempted block sliced up into the air and landed into the path of Leon McKenzie. The dangerous striker had three Town defenders around him when he landed on his backside and was able to knock the ball wide for David Farrell to smash past Griemink. Griemink then saved from a long-range Forsyth effort before his return to his former club took a turn for the even worse.

Dean Hooper played a long ball forward, Robinson seemed to have it under control but his back-pass to the advancing Griemink was too short and McKenzie nipped in to roll the ball into the empty net. McKenzie then missed a sitter just before the break as he raced through alone and put the ball wide. Kingís half-time switch did not see any change to the onslaught. McKenzie flashed a chance across goal and then sees another chance deflected wide off Van der Linden.

Sol Davis then added to Kingís woes as he went off injured and the manager then threw everything forward as he introduced former Posh Giuliano Grazioli. Not even he could inspire the team, although OíHalloran did have a weak shot saved by Tyler. Peterboroughís third came in the 65th minute when Farrell was allowed to run unchallenged across the face of goal, lay the ball off for Clarke who lobbed a pin-point cross to McKenzie at the far post and the striker nodded it in past Griemink.

The home side were playing with Town as Clarke turned Robinson inside out before firing wide. Town did create a couple of chances as substitute Alexander saw a low shot palmed away by Tyler and then Invincibleís pace caused problems. But the fourth goal said it all for sorry Town. Three Peterborough players bore down on six Town players and Griemink.

Francis Green played in a poor cross but Van der Lindenís clearance was even worse and it fell perfectly to Forsyth who let fly with a left foot trundler that beat Griemink at his left hand post. Lee saw a header go just wide and then Townís Alexander saw two good chances blocked, but there was no way back for Town as the humiliation was truly complete.