The Hatters’ run in the Vertu Trophy came to an end after Swindon came from a goal down to earn victory at Kenilworth Road.

Jerry Yates’ early penalty had the Town in front only for Swindon to score twice through former Hatters academy player Will Wright and Filozofe Mabete to send the Robins through to the quarter-finals.

Yates’ spot-kick, earned after Emilio Lawrence was fouled in the box, gave the Hatters – showing seven changes from Saturday’s win over Stevenage – the lead.

And Jack Wilshere’s side had chances to extend their lead with Shayden Morris warming the gloves of Swindon goalkeeper Lewis Ward and Lamine Fanne heading wide.

Lawrence, who was threat down the Town left together with full debutant Harry Fox, tested Ward with a low shot but, seven minutes before the break, Wright levelled when his cross from the left sailed into the net.

And the Robins, riding high in League Two, completed the comeback eight minutes after the restart when James Shea parried a flick-on into the path of Mabete who tucked home unopposed from close range.

Lawrence almost restored parity immediately, only to be denied by Ward before the game was halted for several minutes with confusion on the touchline.

Swindon’s Aaron Drinan tested Shea with a vicious shot on 62 minutes, and his appearance was made known to the referee with the Robins striker not listed on the official teamsheet despite him being brought on as a half-time substitute.

After discussions with both managers and captains, play continued with the Hatters making two changes of their own with Ethon Archer given his debut and Marvelous Nakamba also brought on.

Archer almost made an instant impact when haring into the box down the left but his pass for Yates was cut-out by the Swindon defence with the striker ready to pull the trigger.

Time ticked down with the Hatters pushing for an equaliser to take the tie to penalties but, despite eight added minutes and the introduction of youth team striker Dawid Gawel for his senior debut, the Town couldn’t find one and Swindon celebrated victory.

Town: Shea, Walters, Lonwijk, Makosso, Fox, Saville (sub Gawel 87), Fanne (sub Nakamba 71), Nelson, Lawrence (sub Archer 71), Morris, Yates.

Subs not used: Thomas, Johnson, Paternoster, Lortenzen-Jones.

Attendance: 3,243, including 585 in the away end.