The 3-0 loss followed defeat at Exeter and a draw at home to Wycombe and has seen United knocked off the top spot.

With rivals Norwich winning again at Walsall they are now three points clear with a superior goal difference, although Leeds do have two games in hand.

The Whites were rarely at the races at the County Ground as they left their form behind at Premier League Tottenham and failed to trouble home keeper David Lucas,aisew from a save from Brafdley Johnson early in the second half.

Charlie Austin fired the hosts into a first half lead and they would have been more in front had it not been for United keeper Casper Ankergren.

Billy Paynter powered home a header on the hour mark to double Swindon's lead and he completed the scoring three minutes later from the penalty spot after pulling back Austin inside the area.

Match facts
Swindon Town 3
(Austin 13, Paynter 60, 63, pen)
Leeds United 0
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Coca-Cola League One
Swindon: Lucas, Cuthbert, Jena-Francois, Amankwaah, Greer, Douglas, McGovern, Ferry, Ward, Paynter, Austin (Pericard 77).
Leeds: Ankergren, Crowe (Michalik 45), Bromby, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson, Kilkenny (Becchio 45), Doyle, Johnson (Gradel 65), Snodgrass, Beckford.
Referee: P Gibbs