Rochdale 4-4 Swindon Town: Charlie Austin scores four but Robins held

Charlie Austin started his career with Swindon and returned in December after a spell in Australia

Charlie Austin scored all four Swindon goals but they were held to a 4-4 draw at relegation-threatened Rochdale in a thrilling match.

Swindon took the lead two minutes in when Remeao Hutton crossed for Austin and the striker rifled home.

The veteran doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy picking him out at the back post for a tap-in.

Dale were back in the contest on 22 minutes when Ethan Brierley fed Devante Rodney and the frontman lifted a neat finish over goalkeeper Sol Brynn.

And they then levelled on 25 minutes when Danny Lloyd collected Brierley's pass and smashed a stunning 25-yard rocket into the top corner of the net.

The bottom side completed the turnaround the lead in the 71st minute when Abraham Odoh raced into the Swindon penalty area unchallenged and fired a low drive wide of Brynn.

Austin completed his hat-trick, his first in over a decade, in the 74th minute, poking home Jacob Wakeling's cross at the second attempt.

The former Burnley and Southampton man had his fourth on 79 minutes, firing Tyrese Shade's pass into the roof of Richard O'Donnell's net but the home side dramatically levelled in time added on, Ian Henderson heading home Liam Kelly's corner.

Swindon striker Charlie Austin told BBC Radio Wiltshire:

"To score four goals, not just individually, but as an away side and come away with just one point is not really ideal at all.

"The biggest thing is we can't allow the season to fizzle out for the players or the fans - at the moment it feels like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place, which is far from ideal.

"I came to the club to get promotion and try to get into the play-offs - we look like we're getting there, then we take two steps back - at the moment draws are essentially a waste of time for us."

Match report supplied by PA Media.