The defender Mark Venus scored twice from the penalty spot to help Ipswich record their best away win for 16 years as they maintained their push towards automatic promotion.

Venus fired George Burley's side in front on six minutes after Swindon defender Craig Taylor handled Matt Holland's shot on the goal-line.

Referee Paul Rejer had no hesitation in showing Taylor the red card for the deliberate hand-ball, and Swindon never recovered from being reduced to 10 men.

It was Taylor's second dismissal of the season, and Swindon have now lost their last four games and five of their last six matches as they continue to slide alarmingly towards the First Division relegation zone.

The win was Ipswich's biggest away from Portman Road since September 1982 when they beat Notts County 6-0, and the only surprise was that they did not score more.

England Under-21 striker James Scowcroft added a second on 18 minutes when he latched onto Adam Tanner's long ball to calmly lob oncoming goalkeeper Jimmy Glass for his 12th goal of the season.

And captain Tony Mowbray made Swindon pay for some woeful defending by making the score 3-0 four minutes later when he was left unmarked at a Jamie Clapham corner.

Swindon manager Jimmy Quinn gave an immediate debut to on-loan Southampton striker Shayne Bradley, but the teenager failed to make an impact as Swindon struggled to create any clear-cut opening.

And it was no surprise when Clapham extended the score on the verge of half-time.

Impressive full-back Fabian Wilnes raced down the right before crossing to the far post for the winger to lash the ball high into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Swindon brought on teenage midfielder Robin Hulbert for captain Brian Borrows at the start of the second half in a desperate attempt to turn things around, but it was Ipswich who continued their domination of the game, and Venus added his second and his side's fifth goal on 61 minutes.

Striker David Johnson, who went close with several good shooting opportunities was brought down in the area by Alan Reeves, allowing Venus to step up and side-foot the spot-kick home sending Glass the wrong way.

Bobby Howe could have managed a consolation goal for the home side in the 73rd minute but he curled his shot wide of the right-hand upright from the edge of the area.

And Wilnes ensured Swindon boss Quinn's miserable afternoon was complete when he rounded off the scoring a minute later.

The Dutch defender cut in from the right before unleashing a powerful left-foot shot which crept inside the right-hand upright.

Teams

Swindon: Glass, Linton, Reeves, Taylor, Hall, Borrows (Hulbert 45), Howe, Davies (Hay 77), Onuora, Bradley (Walters 63), Gooden.

Sent Off: Taylor (6).

Booked: Reeves, Davies.

Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis, Tanner (Cundy 67), Clapham, Mowbray, Venus, Stockwell (Naylor 69), Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft (Holster 76), Magilton.

Goals: Venus 6 pen, Scowcroft 18, Mowbray 22, Clapham 43, Venus 61 pen, Wilnis 74.

Att: 10,337

Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).