Match Report by Nigel Gigg, Photos by Andrew Thomas



Swans recovered from being two goals down at half time to snatch a point with two more goals from Jason Scotland, and take another small step toward promotion in an action packed game.



Still no sign of Garry Monk returning and with Marcos Painter and Paul Anderson also still sidelined, Kev Austin, Alan Tate and Tom Butler's extended runs continued.

Side- De Vries, Rangel, Tate, Lawrence, Austin, Butler, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland. Subs- Knight, Way, Jones, Duffy, Bauza.

The game started with the crowd in full voice generating a superb atmosphere for the visiting Sky cameras.

Swans opened strongly and Darren Pratley had an early chance after good work from Andy Robinson, Leon Britton and Jason Scotland, but with time to pick his spot he dragged his shot wide.

Swans were looking the livelier but there was a scare or two at the back with giant Rovers striker Ricky Lambert looking a real handful.

Ferrie Bodde bought a save out of Rovers keeper Steve Phillips but just a minute or so later Swans went behind. There was a bout of head tennis with Swans defenders four or five times heading the ball out without ever clearing the danger. When the ball finally came down it fell to Ricky Lambert 18 yards out and he turned a fired a left foot shot that beat Dorus de Vries all ends up.



Rovers should have extended the lead just two minutes later when full back Danny Coles rose unchallenged to meet a corner and headed against the post.

The large crowd were doing their best to lift the Swans but nerves seemed to getting the better of several of the players. The defence seemed a bag of nerves with far too many individual errors starting to creep in. The midfield were lacking ideas and the central three of Ferrie Bodde, Leon Britton and Darren Pratley all seemed to want to sit deep with none of them prepared to support Jason Scotland in attack.

Rovers for their part were defending in numbers but looked threatening every time they broke. They were working much the harder of the two teams.

Swans only efforts of note were a good run and cross by Andy Robinson that Jason Scotland just failed to get on the end of and a poor back header from centre half Craig Hinton that almost caught Steve Phillips out.

Rovers had another great chance to extend their lead when Lambert was given far too much space in the box but headed just wide with the goal at his mercy.

On 35 minutes Swans defence pressed the self destruct button. Kev Austin made a total hash of a clearance and compounded his error by standing still as the ball was played past him into the path of Craig Disley. Austin stood rooted to the spot with his arm in the air claiming offside but failing to notice Angel Rangel playing Rovers onside on the far side of the field. Disley had a free run on goal and easily beat De Vries to put Rovers in an unlikely 2-0 lead.

Swans posed little threat on the Rovers goal other than a long distance effort from Ferrie Bodde that Phillips dealt with easily.

It had been a very poor 45 minutes for the Swans and 2-0 was a fair reflection given the clear chances Rovers had created.

Darren Pratley made way at half time for Daryl Duffy.

The change had an immediate effect as Swans pulled one back just 4 minutes into the second half. Rovers failed to clear their lines and Leon Britton fired in a right foot shot that Phillips could only palm out. The ball fell to Jason Scotland 10 yards out. From a narrow angle he controlled the ball and fired in a low left foot shot into the corner of the net.



The goal lifted the crowd and the Swans players. Swans were attacking in waves and Andy Robinson went close with a free kick and Tom Butler hit a powerful shot on the turn that missed by inches.

Rovers were restricted to the odd counter attack but had a great chance when Disley had a free header but thankfully he headed over with the goal at his mercy.

The great efforts Rovers had put into the first half seemed to be catching up with them and several of their players looked tired and Swans players were having far more time on the ball.

Dennis Lawrence went close with a header from a corner but Phillips was able to tip over. Had the header been a yard either side of the keeper it would surely have been a goal.

Ferrie Bodde had a low drive well saved as Swans continued to press.

With 13 minutes to go Rovers pulled off the excellent Lambert and threw on yet another defender. They were now playing 5-4-1 with all four midfielders sitting deep.

With just seven minutes to go Swans grabbed the equaliser. Jason Scotland picked the ball up on the edge of the box on the right hand side. He made room for himself before unleashing an unstoppable left foot shot that bent into the top corner. It was a superb effort from a player whose goals have done so much to put the Swans in the position they are in.

A minute or so later Ferrie Bodde limped off with a groin strain and Owain Tudur Jones replaced him.

With the game going into injury time Swans had one final chance to win the game. Alan Tate headed goalward from a corner and Daryl Duffy flicked the ball on and was unlucky to see his effort hit the post and rebound to safety.

In fairness 3-2 would have been harsh on a spirited Rovers display but Swans utter dominance of the second half was oh so welcome after the poor first half.

Ratings -

De Vries 6 - Seems to have lost some confidence.

Rangel 7 - Better but still short of his best.
Lawrence 7 - Excellent second half and prepared to hold the ball and run at people.
Tate 6 - Given a torrid time by Lambert.
Austin 5 - At fault twice for the second Rovers goal.

Butler 7 - Too quick to get rid of the ball first half, much better after the break.
Britton 7 - Lively second half.
Bodde 7- Picked up an injury and will be missed.
Pratley 5 - His loss of form has coincided with our poor run.
Robinson 7 - Constant threat.

Scotland 8 - Another two goals. Looked much happier with Duffy playing central striker role allowing him freedom to roam.

Subs-

Duffy 6 - Did the donkey work allowing Scotland the freedom.
Jones - Only on a few minutes but great to see him


Match Report by BBCi

Jason Scotland rescued leaders Swansea City from home defeat with a superb double against Bristol Rovers.

Rovers had led after Rickie Lambert's 20-yard strike before Craig Disley doubled their lead before the break.

League One's top-scorer inspired the Swans comeback with a close-range strike in the 50th minute before a stunning wonder goal late on.

Scotland's 28th goal of the season curled into the top corner but the Swans lead has been cut to five points.

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Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez:

"Jason's second goal in particular was special but he has performed well all season and his goals have been important for us.

"The draw is not two points dropped as every point we win is a point gained at this stage of the season.

"But I was disappointed in the first-half performance because that is well below the high standards we expect from ourselves.

"However, the way we responded and came back shows the great character and belief we have in our squad."

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Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope:

"It was disappointing to lose a two goal lead but not many teams score twice at Swansea as it's a tough place to come so we must take heart from that.

"We knew they'd come at us with everything they've got in the second half and they pushed a lot of men forward.

"It was disappointing not to hold on for the win but we survived to take a point and we'll take that."

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Swansea: De Vries, Rangel, Tate, Lawrence, Austin, Butler, Bodde (Tudur-Jones 85), Pratley (Duffy 46), Robinson, Britton, Scotland.
Subs Not Used: Knight, Bauza, Way.

Booked: Bodde.

Goals: Scotland 50, 84.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Lescott, Coles (Klein-Davies 85), Elliott, Hinton, Pipe, Campbell, Lines, Rigg (Haldane 70), Lambert (Anthony 78), Disley.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Walker.

Booked: Lescott, Lines, Phillips.

Goals: Lambert 14, Disley 36.

Att: 15,048

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).