Swindon Town moved into second in the League Two table as relegation-threatened Newport County slumped to a fifth straight away defeat.

Two goals in three second-half minutes broke the resistance of Christian Fuchs' side who remain three points from safety.

Swindon had looked sluggish and sloppy with little real threat before substitute Fletcher Holman finished just after the hour mark.

And then, three minutes later, Holman fired across the box that cannoned off Newport defender Joe Thomas.

It secured a fourth win in a row for Ian Holloway's side, who jumped ahead of rivals Cambridge and Notts County and within four points of leaders Bromley.

Newport, meanwhile, remain in 21st position, having now gone four games without a win.

Concerns of supporters will not be eased by a run of fixtures that includes three more games against teams in the top six, starting with Saturday's visit to MK Dons.

Such worries could have done without the frustrations of seeing a hearty penalty shout ignored moments before Holman's opener.

In a game of few clear cut chances, Newport substitute Tanatswa Nyukuhwa had broken into the Swindon area before being bundled over.

But with the Wales Under-21 international's appeals turned down, Swindon seized their moment.

After a flat first-half from the hosts, Junior Hoilett had shown flashes of the class that had seen him play Premier League football with QPR and Cardiff.

And it was his ball that found Holman, the 21-year-old controlling well and cutting inside before burying from inside the box for a second in as many games.

Newport were still bemoaning their luck – with Fuchs clearly unhappy with the officials – when Holman fired across the six yard box and the unfortunate Thomas put it in his own net.

Swindon, who have played a game more than their rivals at the top, now face another struggler when they travel to Shrewsbury on Saturday.