SWANSEA City midfielder Martin Thomas said he was sad to be leaving after joining Third Division promotion hopefuls Brighton in a last minute deadline day deal.

The 27-year-old, who has been in and out of the first team at Vetch Field in recent months, jumped at the chance to hook up with former team-mate and boss Micky Adams.

The free transfer move sees Thomas return to his native south coast.

"I'm sad to be moving on because I've really enjoyed myself at Swansea," said Thomas.

"The supporters at the Vetch really are the best. They are fanatical, very passionate and they were great to me.

"But I decided it was in my best interests to leave the club at this stage due to the lack of first-team opportunities I have had this season.

"And when Micky Adams came in with an offer I decided to take him up on it."

Thomas made 24 appearances this season, scoring just once scoring the winner at Notts County last September.

The former Fulham and Southampton player was signed by Alan Cork on a free and scored on his debut against Exeter in August 1998.

He made a total of 118 appearances for the Swans, scoring 11 goals. He was involved in 40 of the 46 games in the Third Division Championship run last season.

"I particularly enjoyed the promotion run last season when I was a member of the first team on a regular basis," said Thomas.

"One of my happiest memories is scoring the winning goal against West Ham in the FA Cup, that was a pretty special moment."

Thomas's departure came as a surprise after assistant boss Alan Curtis said yesterday morning that no deadline day deals were expected.

Micky Adams, a former Swansea manager himself, got in touch with John Hollins at lunchtime.

Hollins said: "Martin has been a good servant and has worked very hard for us over the last few years. I would like to thank him for that. He has suffered with injuries this season and would have been out of contract in the summer."

MARTIN THOMAS yesterday left relegation-haunted Swansea City to join promotion-chasing Brighton an hour before the transfer deadline.

And David Greene’s on-off-on move from Cardiff City to Cambridge United was completed just before the 5pm limit.

Signed by former manager Alan Cork from Fulham for nothing, Thomas scored on his Swans debut against Exeter in August 1998.

He made 30 appearances in the side that reached the play-offs two years ago and scored the memorable FA Cup third-round replay winner against West Ham.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder figured in all but six of the 46 league games as the Swans became Third Division champions last season.

But Thomas has been in and out of a struggling side this campaign and asked to be put on the transfer list in December.

Brighton manager Micky Adams, who had a brief spell as Swansea manager before Cork took over at the Vetch, snapped him up on a free transfer.

Adams believes Thomas, known as “Psycho” because of his uncompromising style, can help third-placed Brighton clinch automatic promotion from Division Three.

Meanwhile, Greene left second-placed City on a free transfer to join Cambridge United’s Second Division relegation battle.

The 6ft 3in centre-back has played in all but one of City’s first 13 games this campaign but has been a fringe player since returning from injury.

After agreeing personal terms he failed a fitness test and the move seemed dead until he offered to take out personal insurance cover for a knee problem.

He is poised to make his Cambridge debut debut tonight against Colchester, where he won the player-of-the year award before the Bluebirds signed him.

Neither Swansea nor City made a signing before the deadline and there was no transfer activity, in or out, at Wrexham.

Former Wales captain Barry Horne, released by Kidderminster Harriers a few weeks ago, has been picked up by Second Division promotion-chasers Walsall.

City’s FAW Premier Cup quarter-final against Merthyr Tydfil, snowed off on Tuesday, will be played next Monday.

The venue has been switched to Penydarren Park because Ninian Park is being used by Wales to prepare for Wednesday’s World Cup-tie against the Ukraine at the Millennium Stadium.

Terry Daley yesterday resigned as City’s press and media manager after only three weeks in the job. He is expected to return to work in the newspaper industry as a sports writer.

Andy Goram has completed his shock loan move to Manchester United from Motherwell.

The former Scottish international goalkeeper has joined United on loan until the end of the season and was signed just hours before the transfer deadline.

United will pay Motherwell £100,000 for the loan of Goram and he will then revert to being registered with the club for one

day before his contract at Fir Park expires. He will then be a free agent.

Benito Carbone’s free transfer move from Middlesbrough to Bradford yesterday collapsed at the 11th hour.

Carbone passed a medical but negotiations finally broke down after the two parties failed to agree on the length of contract.

STUART ROBERTS has promised that his shirt will stay on should he score for the Wales Under-21 side today.

Swansea City winger Roberts got into hot water at Swindon last Saturday for marking his second-half goal in the Second Division relegation scrap with a partial strip show.

Roberts was booked for taking his shirt off - the second time in his career that he has received a yellow card for such an act.

But Roberts has promised that he will be staying fully-clothed against Armenia U-21s in Abovyan today (10am GMT), particularly as a caution would rule him out of Wales’s next game in the tournament.

“The shirt won’t be coming off anymore after all the trouble I’ve got myself in,” said Roberts. “If I do score, the shirt will be staying on because I’ve learned my lesson.

“I shouldn’t have done it but it was one of those things. My family was there and I just got carried away.

“It was silly re-ally but there was so much tension and support from Swansea that it just got the better of me.

“I thought it was the winner with only 14 minutes to go. It was heat-of-the-moment stuff and my shirt came off because I was so excited.”

Roberts was deployed behind the Swansea front pair at Swindon, but he could play a wider role today as Wales attempt to get off the mark after defeats to Belarus (1-4), Norway (0-2) and Poland (1-2).

They will surely not have a better chance as Armenia are also pointless after three defeats, among them heavy respective 5-1 and 5-0 losses to Norway and Belarus.

“I thought we played well the last time we got together,” said Roberts.

“The first game in Belarus we played poorly but we could have got something out of the Norway and Poland games.

“But it’s always a pleasure to come away with the under-21 squad and all the boys look forward to it. It’s a confidence boost and it’s nice to mix with boys from other clubs.”

Under-21 manager Jimmy Shoulder said Wales were paying the penalty of having few players involved in regular first-team football.

“Most of them play reserve-team football and don’t get the intensity of play,” he said. “We also tend to play relatively young sides compared with other sides. But we’ve had experience of going to these sort of places in the past and there should be no surprises, even for our under-21 boys.

“We’ve shown some good play in parts in the last two matches but we just ran out of gas.”

Wales are without Cardiff City’s 23-goal marksman Robert Earnshaw - scorer for the U-21s in Belarus - who has a knee injury.

“Even Earnie has found it hard at this level,” said Shoulder. “But he can always fashion a goal out of something and he will be missed.”

FOOTBALL fanatic Ceri Davies stands to win £1,250 from pre-season bets on Cardiff City being promoted and Swansea City relegated.

“I’ve been following the Swans since I was seven and hardly missed a home or away match last season when they became Third Division champions,” said the 53-year-old owner of gift card shops in Treorchy, Porth and Ferndale.

“But it pains me to say that I wagered £250 at 4-1 that they would go straight back down.

“I also bet £70 at even money with Jack Brown on Cardiff going up and the bookmakers have already decided to settle all bets on City being promoted any way they can.

“I was more convinced Swansea would be relegated for a number of reasons. They were fortunate to go through last season with a strong, settled defence.

“Centre backs Mathew Bound and Jason Smith both played in all but three of the 46 league games, goal-keeper Roger Freestone didn’t miss a match.

“You couldn’t expect those key players to remain free of injuries and suspensions two years running.

“And from watching a dozen Cardiff midweek fixtures which didn’t clash with Swans games, I could see there was a huge difference in quality between Division Two and Division Three.

“Better players were needed but looking at Ninth Floor’s accounts it was obvious the club’s owners weren’t going to spend.

“Ninth Floor have now put the club up for sale, though I can’t see anything happening yet.

“A buyer would expect to pay a lot less for a Third Division club.

“Results proved the Swans couldn’t compete at the higher level with basically the same squad.

“Since signing Mattias Verschave and Nicolas Fabiano on loan from Paris St Germain, they have produced better form in the last six games.

“But the changes have come too late to save them from the big drop unless they can win six and draw four of their remaining 11 matches which would mean hitting promotion form.

“I would rather the Swans prove me wrong than collect my £1,000 winnings, but I’m afraid that’s not going to happen

“I didn’t bet as heavily on Cardiff going up because I wasn’t sure Sam Hammam would spend the money he said he would on team strengthening.

“And I didn’t know how talented footballers like Jason Bowen, Andy Legg and Mark Bonner would be able to cope in Division Three which is more physical.

“But Sam has more than kept his promise to bring in better players by splashing out around £2m.

“In some of the Cardiff games I watched this season I honestly didn’t think they were playing as well as they did against, say Preston and Stoke last season.

“But sheer fire power will take them up. They’ve already scored 80 goals and could well top 100. Not many teams have done that in recent years.”

Swansea defender Kristian O'Leary is eyeing up the Bournemouth clash in ten days time to make his comeback for the first team.

The 23-year-old initially suffered a calf injury which kept him out for four months.
He returned to play in the win over Stoke at the beginning of March but was taken off during the game with a dead leg which has sidelined him since.

It was no coincidence that the Swans hit a lean spell of losing four games whilst O'Leary sat it out

Now with his return to sure up the defence, John Hollins may expect the Swans to start picking up the points in an attempt to make it clear of the relegation zone.

Boss' international concern

John Hollins is hoping his international stars come through their games unscathed as Swansea fight against relegation. The team has managed to take five points from their last three games, but disruptions to The Swans' settled team through injury could spell trouble.

Hollins will see the Venezuelan hitman Giovanni Savarese join up with his national team to take on Argentina while Stuart Roberts, Lee Jenkins and Gareth Phillips are with the Wales Under-21 squad for their qualifiers in Armenia and at home to the Ukraine.

Hollins said: "We can't afford to lose anyone right now, but all players representing their countries are deserving to do so.

"We have a fortnight off, which allows some players to get back to full fitness, but with the international duties you have to live in your nerves slightly. I hope they all come back fit and raring to go."

Relegation-battlers Swansea are not expected to be boosted by any fresh faces as they attempt to claw back to massive 11-point gap to safety.

The Welsh outfit are marooned on 29 points - and no new signings have been earmarked to strengthen their survival campaign before the season's transfer deadline at 5pm on Thursday.

Swans communications manager Peter Owen said: "I'm not aware of any (new signings) at the moment. It doesn't look likely."

SWANSEA youngster Stuart Roberts joins the rest of the Welsh party on a journey into the unknown today but can't wait for the trip to start.

The 20-year-old Llanelli-born rising star was on his way to Armenia today — a journey that he and his Welsh team-mates had never made before.

But like everything else with Roberts, he is taking it in his stride and with his usual enthusiasm.

"I am looking forward to the trip," said eight-capped under-21 international.

"I look forward to every international but this is going to be a real experience.

"We don't know what to expect but by all accounts we are staying in a nice hotel so it shouldn't be that bad.

"On the football side, we don't know much about them but I am sure the same goes for Armenia, although I suppose they will know a little bit more about us.

"One thing is for sure," added Roberts, "it will be a tough match as usual against these East European sides. They will be well organised and technically very good.

"We are used to playing on rubbish pitches like in Belarus so that won't bother us.

Roberts will be hoping to pick up his ninth and 10th caps with a full game in Armenia and another next Tuesday against Ukraine at Vetch Field.

"It will be nice to get to 10," he said.

"Hopefully I will start in both but we must concentrate on Friday's game first.

"The boss (Jimmy Shoulder) has told us that our last two performances against Norway and Poland were good — both ended in defeat — and all that was missing was the end result.

"If we can build on that and get at least a draw then we will have done well."

On his journey into the unknown Roberts will be joined by a few old pals.

Swansea-born Chris Llewellyn, Rob Folland and Neath youngster Ian Hillier (Tottenham) were all due to join Roberts, Lee Jenkins and Gareth Phillips on the plane from Cardiff to Yerevan today.

"It's been great to have the boys around this week," said Roberts.

"For me it has been the best few days I have had with the Welsh squad.

"It has been great fun and we have also had a Swansea v Cardiff five-a-side games in training.

"We drew but I can tell you there were a few mean tackles flying in!

"Having these mates around makes for a better team spirit and can only help us.

"We don't know what to expect in Armenia but we will be looking to get the right result. You can bet on that!"

LAST Saturday and Sunday proved something very obvious to me.

Highlights of games are so often very misleading that they give totally the wrong impression to any supporter unable to attend.

Swindon v Swansea City on Saturday was 90 minutes of exciting football, with chances at both ends with both teams hell-bent on getting a much-needed victory.

Big Rog (Freestone) made two fantastic saves to deny Swindon, but the Swans also had good chances.

And when Stuart Roberts put them ahead with 15 minutes to go, I honestly thought the team were going to hold out for that victory.

Sadly, they conceded a penalty, which, to be fair, I would have given, almost straightaway and Swindon were level.

Even then, both sides had chances to win and over the 90 minutes Swansea were, I felt, the better side.

Michael Reddy, on loan from Sunderland, was the only threat to the defence, and it was inevitable that he would be involved in the penalty incident.

Young Chris Todd, once again, showed a majority beyond his years and, although slight inexperience resulted in a rash challenge to concede the spot kick, he can be very satisfied with his outstanding contribution to a very good team effort.

Now, to Sunday, and the highlights of the game.

They, to me, gave the impression that Swindon should have beaten Swansea by three or four goals.

Quite a few people have spoken to me about it, saying that the highlights had no resemblance to my live commentary of the 90 minutes.

So all I can say is, believe me, the side were very deserving of victory last Saturday.

That only goes to mystify me as to why Swansea are in the position of 23rd in this division.

Although there are still 33 points to play for, I felt that last Saturday was a game John Hollins's men had to win, and a draw, creditable as it was, didn't really help the cause too much.

This weekend's game against Wrexham has, of course, been postponed due to international call-ups.

I am delighted for the three young players, Stuart Roberts, Lee Jenkins, Gareth Phillips who have been selected for the under-21s.

I am also pleased for Giovanni Savarese who has been called up by Venezuela to play against Argentina.

That is a tremendous and well-deserved honour for a player who has really captured the hearts of the Swans' faithful.

I feel sure that had Gio, joined Swansea earlier or at the start of the season, the extra goals he would almost certainly have scored would have seen the Swans being much better off in the league.

Sadly, Roger Freestone has had to withdraw from the senior squad for the attractive trip to Armenia due to a very heavy knock he took at Swindon.

When he was laid out on the ground, I can only imagine the thoughts going through young Alec Davies's mind, probably, "Here we go again", but Big Rog got over his bump and actually finished the game.

Ryan Giggs's absence will be a massive blow to our hopes as Armenia are not the pushovers everyone seems to think and are actually above us in the world rankings (not many are not).

So, in their own country they will be quite a difficult test.

Of course, we then entertain Ukraine in Cardiff, with Rebrov, Shevchenko, Luzhny and many others to contend with.

If we can get four points from six then I think we will have done really well.

George Graham's surprising dismissal at Tottenham Hotspur has left some people shocked, more by its timing than anything else.

With an FA Cup semi-final looming against fierce rivals Arsenal, you would have thought that all would be best left alone.

But obviously the new owners of Spurs felt that George was not the man for the job and he had to go — I know that feeling only too well!

I am sure that many names will be mentioned for such a prestigious position.

But I shall be amazed if Glenn Hoddle does not emerge as the next boss at White Heart Lane, and who knows, George may well just swap jobs with him. As they say football is a funny old game.

See you next week.

Hollins hoping for a clean bill of health after internationals

JOHN Hollins is hoping for a clean bill of health at Vetch Field next week when four members of his squad return from international duty.

The Swansea City manager wants as many players as possible to be fit for the final 11 league games of the season as he looks to steer the club away from relegation.

And the postponement of this week's matches against Brentford and Wrexham has given the walking wounded within the squad more time for recuperation.

But Stuart Roberts, Gareth Phillips and Lee Jenkins all go away with Wales tomorrow, while top-scorer Giovanni Savarese is in the Venezuela squad.

"We have a fortnight off which will allow some of our players to get back to full fitness," said Hollins.

"The trouble is we have got players on international duty so we are walking on eggshells a little bit.

"We have got one player (Savarese) going all the way to Argentina for what will be a delicate game, while the others are going to Armenia."

Hollins must be pleased in a sense that keeper Roger Freestone was ruled out of the full Wales squad for the trip to Eastern Europe with concussion.

He will now almost certainly be available for Swansea's next game, against Bournemouth at the Vetch on March 31.

"We cannot afford to lose anybody at the moment," added Hollins.

"But the players are representing their countries and rightly so. I hope they all do very well and come back fresh as daisies."

If the four do avoid any injury, Hollins could have something close to his full squad to choose from for the crucial Second Division clash with the Cherries.

With Richie Appleby approaching full fitness after his nightmare season, the Swansea boss may only be without Steve Jones, Ryan Casey and Jason Smith.

Meanwhile, Vetch Field hosts the under-21 international between Wales and Ukraine next Tuesday (7.30pm)

Tickets for the Uefa championship qualifier — which could feature the three Swansea youngsters — are available from the club shop, priced £2 for adults and £1 concessions.

With transfer deadline day fast approaching, the speculation surrounding winger Stuart Roberts and striker Walter Boyd is increasing.

Roberts, who scored in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Swindon is yet to sign a new contract and rumours have been rife that Southampton will make a late bid for the player.

With uncertainty surrounding the future of Saints boss Glenn Hoddle in light of a possible move back to former club Tottenham as manager, any move could be unlikely however.

There's also renewed speculation about Jamaican striker Walter Boyd and American club Miami Fusion.

A possible move was mooted some weeks ago, although that was played down by both Boyd and manager John Hollins, although with the new MLS season kicking off in early April, Fusion are once again searching for fresh blood.

SOMBRE Swansea City skipper Nick Cusack was left ruing the difference in class between Division Two and Division Three after Saturday's draw at Swindon Town.

Cusack saw Stuart Roberts give Swansea the lead in the 76th minute, only for Swindon to hit back through a Keith O'Halloran spot kick minutes later.
"At 1-0 they are always going to throw the kitchen sink at you at the end and they got a penalty out of it," said Cusack.

"Last season we won 1-0 something like 15 times and probably there was not the quality in the opposition forward play to hurt us, so we could get away with 1-0.

"This season we need to take our chances and get 2-0 up like we did against Stoke.

"We had to settle for a point against Swindon which we cannot really afford to do at this stage. We are desperately disappointed."

Despite the result, Cusack was pleased with many aspects of Swansea's display at the County Ground.

"It's criminal to let the lead slip really, but we could not put any more work in and we really battled," said the 35-year-old.

"Our recent form has been excellent and if we were in mid-table, we would probably look at that game and say good point, better side, we are doing well.

"But the situation now is that we need three points from every game really.

"At the time I did not think the penalty should have been given — their guy has possibly looked for it. But it's difficult to comment without seeing it again."

The veteran midfielder, who praised the large group of travelling Swans supporters, looked ahead to the visit of Bournemouth on March 31 with optimism despite Swansea's precarious league position.

"We have got to get our heads up and look to get a win in our next game," he said.

"We will keep fighting and battling to the end and I think everybody will appreciate that.

"We will keep going all the way."

THE smiles and frowns at the County Ground after this pulsating draw told everyone who was happier with a slice of the points.

No-one expected Swansea City manager John Hollins to say it, and he didn’t disappoint as he trotted out the one about 11 games left and 33 points to play for.

But this was a must-win game for Swansea and the failure to do so cost them even further ground as Cambridge’s last-gasp win at Stoke put them even further from the safety zone.

In fact, it is Swindon who now fill that last spot above the relegation zone - 11 points better off than Swansea and grateful that gap had not been closed.

“That result suits us more than it does Swansea,” said Swindon manager Andy King. “They can’t afford to draw games.”

That fact was clear as dejected Swansea players - denied a second win in three games by Keith O’Halloran’s 81st-minute penalty - filed on to the team coach for the journey home.

“If we were mid-table we’d probably look at that and say it was a good point,” said Swansea captain Nick Cusack.

“But at this stage of the season we probably needed three. We need wins, but sometimes you get kicked in the teeth a little bit.

“As we saw at Stoke we went two-up and that extra goal cushion really does help.

“At one-nil they’re always going to throw everything at you. Last season we seemed to be winning one-nil every week.

“But there wasn’t the forward play in the opposition we’ve come across this season. You need that second goal in this division.”

If Paris in the spring was the time for Graham Henry to be bold, then Hollins thought Swindon in the cold was not a bad moment either.

Sensing the need for victory on a freezing afternoon, Hollins went for broke with the prominent Stuart Roberts operating behind front pair Steve Watkin and Matthias Verschave.

Roberts was given plenty of licence to roam and Swansea’s pace and movement hinted at a breakthrough before the untimely loss of Verschave at half-time with a knee injury.

Left-back Michael Howard, showing a willingness to get forward as early as the third minute, headed Roberts’s cross against a post and Verschave broke onto Roger Freestone’s long punt before being thwarted by Sol Davis.

Verschave almost profited from a clever one-two with Watkin and Damien Lacey’s effort from distance forced Swindon goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall into a save on his line.

Swindon saw most of their attacks flounder on the flag of the assistant referee and only young striker Michael Reddy, on loan from Sunderland, threatened spasmodically.

But Swansea owed a huge debt to Freestone on the stroke of half-time with the goalkeeper showing the form that could see him play for Wales in Armenia this week.

Matthew Hewlett’s volley was destined for the top corner until Freestone spectacularly pushed the ball against the post.

The departure of Verschave robbed Swansea of their first-half momentum and Ian Woan’s 30-yard lob almost dipped enough to embarrass Freestone.

Reddy’s pace was also a source of concern, particularly for teenage defender Chris Todd, but Swansea grabbed a potential lifeline 14 minutes from time.

Giovanni Savarese’s excellent hold-up play allowed Howard to cross and Roberts pounced on a weak clearance to drill low beyond Mildenhall.

Sadly, Roberts’s shirt-waving celebration in front picked up an unnecessary caution.

Five minutes later Reddy slipped past Todd in the area and tumbled as the defender stuck out a foot. O’Halloran swept the spot-kick high past Freestone.

Both sides had chances in the dying seconds - Swansea surviving a goalmouth scramble and Watkin rounding Mildenhall from an acute angle before being denied by home cover.

JOHN HOLLINS absolved teenage defender Chris Todd over the penalty-box trip that cost Swansea City a precious victory against fellow Second Division strugglers Swindon Town.

Todd, making only his second league appearance, made a rash challenge on Swindon’s on-loan striker Michael Reddy nine minutes from time at the County Ground.

The 19-year-old appeared to make a slight contact on the ball but there were no complaints in the Swansea dressing room after Keith O’Halloran swept home the penalty to give Swindon a share of the spoils.

“Perhaps we were a little unfortunate with the penalty,” said Swansea manager Hollins.

“But you can’t really go to ground when a guy’s taking you on in the area.

“The guy went past him (Todd) and you’ve got to stay on your feet in that situation because all he’s going to do is cross the ball.

He’s not going to score from there.

“But that’s not a criticism, that’s experience. Chris Todd has done extremely well since he came into the side.

“He’ll learn from that because it hurt him badly, but overall he’s been excellent for us.”

Hollins said he was delighted by the performance, even though Cambridge’s 3-2 win at Stoke increased the gap between them and the fifth-bottom safety spot to 11 points.

“I thought the way we started against Swindon that it was the first time we were going to hammer someone by about three or four,” he said.

“We took a long time to get to the actual goal but overall I thought we were the better side, we moved it around and had the better chances.

“But this game had made me even confident that we will do what we’ve got to do until the end of the season.

“We’ve got a two-week break before the next match - but that’s five games without a defeat so things are looking up.

“The only thing is we’ve got five players on international duty going away to places like Argentina and Armenia.

“That’s right because players should play for their countries but you’re hoping that you don’t pick up any injuries along the way.

“We’ve still got 11 games left and 33 points to play for and we won’t be far away, that’s for sure.

“If we continue to play and work that way then I think we’ve got more than a good chance of staying up.”

SWANSEA’S mini revival continued in freezing Wiltshire but Keith O’Halloran’s late heartbreaker has probably drilled another nail into the Vetch side’s relegation coffin.

It had all looked good 14 minutes from time as Welsh Under-21 international Stuart Roberts nosed John Hollins’s battlers ahead, until O’Halloran celebrated St Patrick’s Day from the spot moments later.

Swansea are 11 points adrift of safety but boss Hollins boomed, “We still have 11 games remaining and 33 points to play for.

“After this performance, I am more confident than ever about us staying up. We moved the ball around well but should have tucked away a couple of chances before half time.”

Swans skipper Nick Cusack was in despondent mood saying, “If we were mid-table, I would be happy with this result but when you look at the Second Division, you have to say it is very disappointing.

“We have got to keep our heads up and look for a victory in the next game.”

That won’t be for another two weeks at home against Bournemouth but Swans manager Hollins feels the break will be a boost for his side.

He said, “At least it gives us the chance to get a few injuries cleared up.”

Unlike Cusack, Swindon boss Andy King was a happy man. He said, “I think a draw is a better result for us than Swansea - they needed the win desperately.”

But the home side looked a bag of nerves from kick-off and their defender Sol Davis saw yellow after just 16 seconds as he scythed down David Romo.

The Swans should have been ahead in the third minute. Cusack released Roberts on the right but Michael Howard thundered his header against the base of the post.

Swindon’s reply was swift. Jason Price was caught cold on the right and Swans keeper Roger Freestone had to move smartly to halt the rampaging Reddy.

Hollins had called for “bottle” before the start and his army were charging again on 17 minutes.

Frenchmen Romo hooked in on the second attempt at Steve Mildenhall who tipped it clear as Todd loitered with intent.

Swindon weren’t showing the confidence associated with a side with one defeat in 10 league games and Mildenhall was soon punching a vicious Damien Lacey snapshot.

Swansea’s Cusack and Romo were smothering Ian Woan’s midfield artistry but the home side didn’t have a glimmer on 34 minutes.

Borrowed Sunderland raider Reddy roasted Todd but Freestone’s legs blocked the Irishman’s blast.

And in the first minute of interval stoppage time, the Welsh international pulled off a world-class save as he deflected a Matthew Hewlett volley on to the woodwork.

Swansea were reshuffling at the break as 14-goal marksman Giovanni Savarese replaced the limping Matthais Verschave. But the rejuvenated Swindon were ripping forward in the opening second-half minutes.

A crimson tide was engulfing the Swans and the Welshmen were on red alert again as Price stopped Reddy in his tracks.

And there was more danger on 64 minutes. The menacing Reddy skinned Howard but Freestone was equal to Alan Reeves’s far-post header.

On 76 minutes Swansea’s Howard weaved his magic on the left and Roberts joyously drilled home left-footed from 12 yards. But the joy was short-lived as the home side drew level, O’Halloran scoring from the spot six minutes later.

STUART Roberts helped extend Swansea's unbeaten run to three games with his fourth league goal of the season. The 20-year-old's 75th- minute strike gave John Hollins' side the lead against fellow strugglers Swindon.

But four minutes later Swansea defender Christopher Todd upended Michael Reddy. Keith O'Halloran stepped up to score his sixth goal of the season in his first game back after serving a three-match ban. Swansea captain Nick Cusack was disappointed that his side threw away the lead.

He said: "It was a great time for us to score but it was criminal of us to let the lead slip and the lads are all desperately disappointed.

"We knew that Swindon are on a good run but at this stage of the season we need to be picking up wins and not draws." Matthias Verschave struck the Swindon woodwork in the first minute.

And Swans goalkeeper Roger Freestone ensured that his side were still level at the break when he saved spectacularly from Matthew Hewlett.

Ian Woan's 35-yard volley dipped just over Freestone's crossbar on 55 minutes, then he palmed away Alan Reeves' header.

Swindon 1-1 Swansea

Keith O'Halloran extended Swindon's unbeaten run to four matches with a late penalty in a 1-1 draw against fellow-strugglers Swansea.

Starting his first game after a three-match ban, the Dublin-born midfielder beat Roger Freestone from the spot after Michael Reddy was brought down by Chris Todd 11 minutes from time.

Wales under-21 international Stuart Roberts had put the visitors ahead four minutes earlier with his fourth League goal of the season. Swansea should have taken the lead in the first minute when Matthais Verschave headed against a post.

Freestone tipped Matt Hewlett's 25-yard volley onto the woodwork in first-half injury time and former Nottingham Forest midfielder Ian Woan's 35-yard volley dipped just over after 55 minutes.

Reddy fired over when he should have sealed all the points for Swindon in the last minute.