Gary Johnson admitted Yeovil Town had to limit damage inflicted by Swindon Town after the visitors' lacklustre first half display ended their chances of even a point.
Paolo Di Canio's men punished the Glovers' dismal opening period to canter to a 3-1 interval lead, eventually triumphing 4-1 in npower League One.
Yeovil manager Johnson said: "We started alright, the first goal was probably against the run of play and we looked alright at that point.
"This is where the young, inexperienced players came in. Instead of saying 'right lads, shut them down' we go and let in another goal quickly.
"We took one of our chances and at that point I could get into them a little bit at half time at 2-1 and they could come out fighting but unfortunately they got their third just before half time and that kills you.
"We had to make sure it wasn't a big score so we got into them and to be fair they did well for 44 minutes and obviously the last goal was disappointing because in the second half we did a lot better than the first."
Johnson kept faith in the first XI that defeated Hartlepool United seven days earlier, whilst ex-Glover Andy Williams retained his starting spot for Swindon despite the midweek arrival of Norwich City's Chris Martin.
Yeovil took five minutes to make an impact in the hosts' final third. Swindon were unable to clear Jamie McAllister's deep free kick but Paddy Madden's eventual shot was weak and Wes Foderingham gathered.
On 15 minutes Swindon initially found their path to goal blocked before Matt Ritchie ended a neat move by drilling narrowly over from 18 yards.
Dan Burn was booked for a lunge on James Collins after 22 minutes and when Byron Webster half-cleared Ritchie's subsequent wide free kick, Simon Ferry acrobatically volleyed wide first time through a crowded area.
However, the Glovers' defence was clinically breached two minutes later. Ferry's through ball and Andy Williams' turn left for dead a flat-footed Webster and Burn.
The attacker kept his cool to run from the halfway line and slot despite Stech's best efforts, but did little to endear himself on his former fans by kissing the Swindon badge as he celebrated.
One become two on 29 minutes. Joe Devera breezed past his opposition, racing from left back to cross, James Collins sliding home.
With Yeovil rocking, Stech then collided with Andy Williams whilst challenging for a 50-50 ball, the keeper fluffed the clearance and only Burn's block prevented a follow-up hitting the empty net.
The visitors gained a lifeline on 42 minutes, Keanu Marsh-Brown making waves just five minutes after replacing Daniel Johnson.
James Hayter nodded in his near post cross with both sides nervously looking towards the referee's assistant to check the ball crossed the line.
But the strike counted for little as Swindon restored their two-goal buffer a minute later thanks to the away team's generosity.
Stech superbly saved Devera's close range stab from a deep free kick but was powerless to stop Darren Ward thumping home the follow-up with his defenders stationary.
Yeovil started the second half brightly, interval introduction Reuben Reid laying off for Korey Smith to burst through and rifle just wide.
On 54 minutes Swindon stretched a timid Yeovil defence on the counterattack, riding weak challenges only for Andy Williams' replacement Chris Martin to slip at the crucial moment and hit the side-netting.
Neat passing created a chance for the home side on 62 minutes, Gary Roberts eventually receiving the ball in space near the penalty spot and Stech parrying strongly.
The unmarked Madden spurned a golden chance to bring Yeovil within a goal on 69 minutes when he wastefully headed over Marsh-Brown's pinpoint cross.
On 82 minutes and with Swindon the only team competing, Collins made the most of yards of space allowed to him to swivel and fiercely volley. However, Stech impressively palmed to safety.
The striker sealed the points in injury time when he picked his spot to coolly curl beyond Stech as Swindon caught their largely disappointing visitors on the break.MATCH STATS
Swindon Town (4-4-2) - Foderingham; McCormack, McEveley, Ward, Devera; Ritchie, Bostock (Hollands, 70), Ferry, Roberts (De Vita, 85); A. Williams (Martin, 44), Collins. Unused subs: Bedwell, Archibald-Henville, Thompson, Rooney.
Goals: A. Williams 24, Collins 29, Ward 43, Collins 90.
Bookings: Roberts (dissent), Devera (dissent).
Yeovil Town (4-4-2) - Stech; Ayling, Webster, Burn, McAllister; Edwards, Smith, Johnson (Marsh-Brown, 37), Foley (G. Williams, 70); Madden, Hayter (Reid, 46). Unused subs: Stewart, Hinds, Haynes-Brown.
Goals: Hayter 42.
Bookings: Burn (foul), Webster (foul).
Ref: Mark Heywood (West Yorks).
Att: 8,112.
