Accrington boss John Doolan praises hat-trick hero Paddy Madden

Accrington boss John Doolan praised hat-trick hero Paddy Madden as his side celebrated a 4-0 win over high-flying Swindon.

Stanley took the lead on eight minutes when on-loan Chesterfield striker Madden lobbed Connor Ripley from 25 yards, his first Reds goal.

The next big moment came on 37 minutes when Robins captain Ollie Clarke was sent off for violent conduct for an alleged elbow on Alex Henderson.

Both sides hit the woodwork after the break before Stanley scored a second on 72 minutes when Isaac Heath broke and passed for Madden to slot home from close range.

Heath then raced forward after 79 minutes and fired home his first EFL goal before Madden completed his hat-trick in the second minute of added time.

Doolan said: “It’s brilliant, when the lads show up and put in a performance that’s what they get against a top side who could have gone top of the league.

“Paddy has a track record of scoring goals and we knew it was going to happen but we knew he needed time, he needed game legs, and he had to get up to speed and he is doing that now.

“It was a quality first goal, seeing Connor Ripley off his line, and it was a brilliant finish.

“Isaac Heath is at the other end of the scale to Paddy, he is learning his trade, but he has put in a quality performance today.

“We have had chances in previous matches and we have worked on our finishing this week and today we put them away.

“It was outstanding. I couldn’t be prouder but we now have to repeat this performance and be consistent.”

Ian Holloway, whose side had won six of their previous seven league games, called it a “bad day at the office” and, while he felt the sending off had a big impact on the scoreline, he refused to blame it as the only reason for the loss.

He said: “I knew the challenge they would give us as they didn’t play well the week before and their manager was fuming.

“We found ourselves 1-0 down. Ollie (Clarke) has put his body in front of their bloke and their bloke is rolling around on the ground holding his face.

“It was: ‘What are they doing?’. Then they have given them a free-kick and sent my man off. I felt the decision wasn’t understandable.

“We had a spell where we looked like we had got over it but by the end we have been well beaten and I am bitterly disappointed.

“We have a fellow who has been sent off, one who has torn his hamstring, another who has hurt his groin so it’s not a good day and that’s not all the referee’s fault.

“We were shockingly bad later on. We have to dust ourselves down as there is light years to go in this league.”