Paul Brayson scored the only goal of the game this morning, as Cardiff took on Swansea in a secret behind-closed-doors match at Ninian Park.

Brayson's spectacular 70th minute strike separated the teams in a well contested match, which was kept quiet to keep the risk of trouble down to a minimum.

Swansea manager John Hollins was keen to give trialist Nathan Tyson a run-out and the Reading striker was a threat for The Swans and came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors.

There were few chances throughout the match and it was perhaps a pity that such a spectacular goal was witnessed by so few. Brayson left the Swans keeper with no chance as he fired home from 30-yards-out.

However, the result had no more significance than a bit of local pride and the main thing was that both sides kept their fitness levels up as neither have a League match this weekend. Today's line-ups.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Hamilton, Prior, Kavanagh, Fortune-West, Brayson, Bonner, Hughes, Thompson, Nugent.

Swansea: Cole, Todd, Coates, Cusack, Mumford, Bound, Keegan, Mazzina, Williams, Tyson, Appleby.

Tyson 'didn't think twice' about move

Teenage striker Nathan Tyson has reveled that he didn't think twice about moving to The Vetch on loan for a month from Second Division Reading.

Tyson said: "The gaffer Alan Pardew called me in and told me Swansea were interested and I didn't think twice.

"I've been trying to do my best and develop my game in the reserves at Reading, and it'll be even better to do that in the first-team here."

The 19-year-old striker admitted that with the likes of Martin Butler, Jamie Cureton, Nicky Forster and Tony Rougier in front of him in the pecking order at Reading he faced a very tough task of getting into the first-team.

But, he is happy to now hopefully get the chance of first-team football with Swansea, and cannot wait to get his chance to do his very best for John Hollins' side.

Tyson added: "I want to do my very best for Swansea. I enjoy playing off a big striker alongside me, and use my pace to get goals, just what I'll try and do here."

Cambridge United boss John Beck today confirmed that Swansea City's Jason Smith is a target.

The Second Division club have leaked goals in a dreadful start to the new season which has seen them take just one point from four league games.

And Beck is desperate to reinforce an Abbey Stadium back-line which contains a mixture of very young players and veterans. "Jason Smith is one of several centre-backs we are looking at," the former Fulham man said.

Smith, 26, has been a regular in the Swansea side since joining from non-league Tiverton Town in 1998. The Bromsgrove-born player was part of the back-four on which the 2000 Third Division Championship success was built.

He has been struggling with an ankle ligament injury since last February, but is hoping to make his first-team return when Exeter visit Vetch Field on September 8.

Swansea chairman Mike Lewis said: "Should we receive a substantial offer for any of our players we would have to consider it, as would any other club in the Third Division.

" It is a harsh fact of life at this end of the league.

"That said, we have received offers for several of our players over the last few months which we did not entertain - we are looking to build something here. "At all times the manager and the players involved have been kept informed of what's going on. There is certainly nothing underhand going on."

Defender Marc Joseph left Cambridge for Peterborough during the close season. Dave Greene was brought in from Cardiff as a replacement, but his contract has since been cancelled because of injury.

FORMER Cardiff City and Swansea City manager Frank Burrows will undergo a critical operation tomorrow to remove cancer in one of his kidneys.

The 57-year-old Scot, now assistant manager at First Division West Bromwich Albion, needs "major surgery" to remove the cancer and will be out of action for at least six weeks.

Gary Megson, Albion's manager, said he was "shattered" by the news of Burrows's illness.

He said, "Frank has got to go into hospital for a major operation and our thoughts are with him, his wife Wendy and his family.

"I've known about it for three weeks but it's been on Frank's mind for a long time. When he told me the news it was like receiving a hammer blow. Frank is both a friend and a work colleague.

"On top of everything else that has been going on here of late, this has been the biggest single issue for the people who have known.

"I've been having trouble signing players at this club but the problems with transfer fees are insignificant compared to something like this."

Burrows, who now lives in Broms-grove in the West Midlands, had two spells as Cardiff manager. During his first he won promotion to the old Third Division and the Welsh Cup.

He returned to Ninian Park 10 years later and again won promotion from the league basement, but he acrimoniously quit the Bluebirds last year because he felt the Clive Sullivan-led consortium that wanted to buy the club would replace him with Peter Jackson.

In between he managed Swansea City and led the Swans to Autoglass Trophy glory at Wembley in 1994 and, a year earlier, he took them to the Second Division play-offs where, ironically, they lost to West Brom.

He joined Albion as Megson's number two in March 2000 and played a major role in the Baggies reaching the First Division play-offs last season.

"Frank is a great help to me and a fantastic asset to the club," added Megson, who dedicated Albion's 1-0 over Gillingham last Monday to Burrows.

"Frank didn't want me to but I told the players about him on Monday and to go out and win the game for him. I didn't want him sitting in hospital worrying about the start we'd made."

Billy Ayre, Burrows's assistant during his second reign at Ninian Park, is also fighting cancer. Ayre, now coaching at Second Division Bury, is receiving chemotherapy for cancer in his lymph glands.

Cambridge are planning a raid for Swans defender Jason Smith after City chairman Mike Lewis admitted the entire Vetch Field squad was for sale.

U's boss John Beck is reported to be interested in Smith, even though the player carries a £100,000 price tag. John Hollins would expect a decent fee for the 27-year-old centre-back, who has made 129 starts for the Welsh club since arriving from non-league Tiverton Town three seasons ago.

Smith is yet to play in this campaign after a serious ankle ligament injury in March but is expected to resume full training soon. The defender's link to Cambridge comes after Mike Lewis admitted to the South Wales Echo that he will listen to any offers for players in a bid to ease City's financial plight. He was discussing the club's efforts to persuade Stuart Roberts to sign a new contract when he revealed the situation regarding offers.

"The contract is still on the table for Stuart to sign," said Lewis.

"But he is available for transfer, as are all our other players. We are no different to any other club in the Third Division. "If someone comes in with a fantastic offer for any of our players, we will have to give it serious consideration.

"If an offer was too good to refuse we would reluctantly have to let the player go. No one is sacred here."

Reading reserves' boss Kevin Dillon believes new-boy Nathan Tyson could provide Swansea City with the strike power needed to carry them up the Third Division.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's Evening Post , the 19-year-old speed merchant has arrived at Vetch Field on a month's loan from Reading as John Hollins looks to solve his forward line injury crisis.

The youngster has made just two substitute appearances for the Royals' first-team this season as he waits in the wings behind experienced strikers Jamie Cureton, Martin Butler, Nicky Forster and Tony Rougier.

Even so, he has attracted interest from Norwich, Wycombe and Bristol Rovers in the past two weeks.

But manager Alan Pardew is not prepared to sell the promising, 5ft 10in Reading-born player, and reserve-team coach Dillon knows exactly why.

"It doesn't surprise me there are clubs interested in Nathan," he said.

"He has a lot of pace, which is his main asset, and he knows where the goal is.

"He has not had many chances yet, but there's a lot of competition up front."

The loan move to Swansea suits both clubs, with young Tyson gaining some league experience and Hollins plugging the gap left by early-season casualties Steve Watkin and John Williams.

Tyson, who can play centre-forward or on the left, scored for Reading's second-string against Cardiff and Norwich last week.

"Nathan is young, bright and sharp and he gives us another option," said Hollins.

"Reading don't want to sell him but he needs experience in the league and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to bring it to him. We'll give him all the support he needs. This deal is satisfactory for all parties involved."

Swansea chairman Mike Lewis, whose connections with Reading helped bring the move about, added: "John Hollins and myself will act immediately if necessary to fill positions where we could be stronger."

Meanwhile, former Swansea boss Frank Burrows is facing major surgery this weekend and is expected to be missing from current club West Brom for six weeks.

Baggies manager Gary Megson refused to disclose the nature of his assistant's operation.

Burrows, who also managed Cardiff, was in charge at the Vetch from 1991 to 1995 and led the club to Autoglass Trophy glory in 1994.

SWANSEA CITY have signed a man called Tyson to help add some punch to their attack.

Highly-rated Reading teenager Nathan Tyson has been brought in by the Swans to ease a striking crisis caused by injuries to Steve Watkin and John Williams.

Reading recently rejected a Wycombe Wanderers' bid for Tyson, the quickest player at the Second Division club.

But they have agreed to let him join the Swans on a month's loan and he will be available for six matches.

The 19-year-old Tyson scored for Reading's reserve side in last week's defeat by Cardiff City and netted two more in the Football Combination fixture against Norwich City.

With experienced strikers Jamie Cureton, Martin Butler, Tony Rougier and Nicky Forster at the club, Tyson must bide his time for a first team place, though he has made two substitute appearances this season.

The temporary deal was smoothed through by acting Swans chairman Mike Lewis, Reading's former chief executive.

"Wato (Steve Watkin) will be out for three or four weeks with damaged knee ligaments and John (Williams) is also injured," said manager John Hollins.

Williams, who missed Monday's game against Cheltenham with an ankle injury, is expected to be fit for the next match, home to Exeter City on Saturday week.

But Hollins said, "We need forwards and Nathan will give us another option. He's young, bright and sharp.

"Reading don't want to sell him because he is showing such promise. But he needs league experience and I'm pleased to have the opportunity to bring him to the club.

"This is a deal which can benefit all parties. We'll give Nathan all the support we can and hopefully he will help us put together a good run." Goalkeeper Roger Freestone and full-back Lee Jenkins have joined Jason Smith, Ryan Casey, Damien Lacey, Watkin and Williams on a worrying casualty list that leaves the Swans with only 18 fit players.

But they have no game this week-end due to Welsh international commitments.

IMPOVERISHED Swansea City have put their entire playing staff up for sale.

The Third Division club, itself on the market, will listen to offers for any player, including Wales 'keeper Roger Freestone and Wales Under 21 winger Stuart Roberts.

Cheltenham Town manager Steve Cotterill described Roberts as "ar-guably the best wide player in the division, a handful for any defence," after his side's 2-2 draw at the Vetch Field on Monday.

He would not be surprised if a bigger club came in for the youngster, who is on a week-to-week agreement, having rejected a new contract offer from Swansea.

Roberts, valued at around £250,000, had a summer trial with Rotherham but the First Division club did not pursue their interest.

"The contract is still on the table for Stuart to sign," said Swansea's acting chairman Mike Lewis.

"But he is available for transfer, as are all our other players. We are no different to any other club in the Third Division.

"If someone comes in with a fantastic offer for any of our players we will have to give it serious consideration.

"If an offer was too good to refuse we would reluctantly have to let the player go. No one is sacred here."

But Lewis, who bought the club for £1 from Ninth Floor plc with a view to finding new investors to purchase £1.4m worth of shares, refuted reports that the ailing Swans are under threat of folding.

"At the moment the club is in no danger of any financial crisis," he insisted.

"There's no question of the club going into receivership. That's a scare story.

"We have to find investment to make sure the next eight to nine months are clear, but it's looking good on that front.

"I hope to announce a major investor within the next three or four weeks. We are going through the due diligence stage at the moment." Lewis welcomed the initiative taken by a group of die-hard Swans fans in forming a Supporters Trust aimed at raising enough money to gain a seat on the board and to ultimately buy the club.

"I just hope they can do it," he said. "If they can accumulate £140,000 to buy a 10 per cent stake in the club, I will personally carry their nominated director into the board room."

With the Swans losing heavily each week, Lewis admitted his concern that the gate of 3,343 for the Bank Holiday match against Cheltenham was down by more than 2,000 on the attendance for the previous home league game.

He blamed the team for the wane in support.

"We aren't playing well enough," he said.

"We are in the entertainment business and need to give the fans some thing to cheer.

"The 3-0 defeat at Lincoln was no encouragement for them to turn out in numbers on Bank Holiday Monday.

"We played well in the first half against Cheltenham to establish a 2-0 lead. Then we threw the game away."

A twisted ankle has forced Swansea City keeper Roger Freestone out of the Wales squad for next week's World Cup qualifying double header.

And while Freestone is out of the senior squad, Swans full-back Lee Jenkins has dropped out of the under-21s because of calf and ankle problems.

Both players have been told to rest rather than face Armenia at home this weekend and then travel to Norway for games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Freestone's absence is the latest blow to Wales boss Mark Hughes, who had already lost Mark Pembridge and skipper Gary Speed through injury this week.

Also ruled out of Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash were Preston defender Rob Edwards (knee) and Barnsley's Darren Barnard (knee), while Charlton star John Robinson (groin) is doubtful.

With strikers John Hartson and Nathan Blake suspended, Hughes, whose side are yet to win a match at their new Cardiff home, could be without eight frontline players.

But Blackburn forward Hughes has opted not to call up any replacements to his squad.

Of the four Swansea stars who have joined up with Jimmy Shoulder's under-21 squad, two have slight injury concerns.

Stuart Roberts has a swollen ankle, while Gareth Phillips is still recovering from a hamstring strain. Jason Jones and late call-up Leigh De-Vulgt are fit.

And with his streamlined squad already creaking this season, Swansea boss John Hollins is hoping none of his players will return from international duty unfit.

"We would never stop a player representing his country and we want our boys to do well, but we don't want them to get injured," he said.

"Robbo and Gaz have both said they are okay to travel so I will put my trust in them and the FAW medical team to ensure that they only play if fit enough. We wish them good luck but we keep our fingers crossed."

Meanwhile, Swansea chairman Mike Lewis has said he would consider offers for any member of the Vetch Field playing staff.

"We are no different from any other club in the Third Division. If someone comes in with a fantastic offer for any of our players, we will have to give it serious consideration," said Lewis.

"If an offer was too good to refuse we would reluctantly have to let the player go. No one is sacred here." Llanelli face Afan Lido in the first round of the Gilbert Cup at Stebonheath Park tonight (7.30).

Welsh international Goalkeeper Roger Freestone will miss the World Cup qualifiers at home to Armenia and away to Norway due to an ankle injury.

Freestone aggravated the injury in yesterday's two-all draw with Cheltenham at Vetch Field and shall be unavailable for Saturday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 5.

Meanwhile Lee Jenkins could be doubtful for the Under-21 matches against the same opposition. The midfielder hobbled out of the Vetch on Monday evening saying he had aggravated a strain he picked up initially in last week's Worthington Cup defeat by Peterborough and would consult the Welsh team doctor today about his prospects.

Another Swans Under-21 representative Stuart Roberts also picked up a knock against Cheltenham but should be available for the Internationals.

FRUSTRATED Swansea City boss John Hollins told his team to tighten up after three points slipped through their hands at Vetch Field yesterday.

The home side succumbed to an injury-time Cheltenham equaliser after cruising to a 2-0 half-time lead through Stuart Roberts and Matthew Bound's controversial penalty.

Swansea were undone by late strikes from Mike Duff and Mark Yates, with both goals coming through unchallenged headers despite Swansea's lofty back three of Matthew Bound, Kris O'Leary and Chris Todd.

Now Hollins wants his side to rediscover the form of the Third Division championship campaign two seasons ago when Swansea boasted the meanest defence in the league.

"We cannot keep giving people goals," he seethed. "It's not like us.

"Cheltenham are a very big team and I made my players aware of that. We played three at the back because I wanted to be a big.

"But we gave two stupid goals away and that doesn't do the heart any good. We should have got the ball away."

Unhappy Hollins did have some kind words to say about his players who, in the first half at least, bounced back from Saturday's 3-0 humiliation by Lincoln in some style.

Wales Under-21 international Roberts led Swansea to their best display of the season up until the break and they deservedly built a two-goal advantage.

"It was certainly a hell of a lot better than Lincoln. I am pleased with the way we played even though it's two points given away," he said.

"We've killed that rubbish about not being able to score goals and if we'd got more people in the box we could have got four or five."

He added: "Considering we've got only one regulation forward, we did well.

"We had to play a different way because of the injuries and Mamady Sidibe and Stuart Roberts went about it well. Robbo looked a bit more like his old self."

Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill, who felt his deserved a point because Swansea's penalty should not have been given, also heaped praise on the 21-year-old winger.

"Roberts is arguably the best wide player in the division and he will be a real handful for any defence," he said.

Swansea now face an 11-day wait for their next chance to get a second win of the season.

John Williams should have recovered from his ankle injury by the time Exeter visit on September 8 but Steve Watkin will miss out because of knee ligament trouble.

Watkin, 30, could be out for five weeks after limping off at Lincoln, severely limiting Hollins's attacking options.

FANS of Swansea City have launched a bid to buy a share in the club and win a seat on the board.

The Swansea City Supporters' Trust, the first of its kind in Wales, was launched yesterday in the city's Patti Pavilion.

Around 600 Swans fans signed up to the Trust at £5 a time after yesterday's disappointing 2-2 draw against Cheltenham at the Vetch.

Trevor Watkins, director of the government-funded organisation Supporters Direct, urged Swans fans to pull together for the good of the club.

Mr Watkins, a Bournemouth fan, said his was the first club in the country to be taken over by its supporters.

Five years ago Bournemouth went bust and Mr Watkins, who is a lawyer, and a group of fellow fans picked up the pieces and rebuilt the club.

He told the meeting: "You're not going to take over the club tomorrow, but I believe you have a great opportunity to get involved."

The Swansea Trust's Tony Davies said football club chairman Mike Lewis had valued the club at £1.4million.

To kick-off efforts to buy a stake, an auction held at the event yesterday raised around £3,000 for the Trust.

Bids for a signed David Beckham shirt hit £600 and a shirt signed by Alan Curtis went for £400.

No-one from the club's current management attended the launch.

Swansea City fans today take the first step that could lead to them ultimately buying the club when they officially launch the Supporters Trust.

The group, who have received advice from the Governmentbacked Supporters Direct organisation, will be looking to recruit members at Swansea's Patti Pavilion after today's home match against Cheltenham Town.

Swansea fans hope to follow in the footsteps of their counterparts at Chesterfield and Lincoln City who have taken control of their clubs.

"Our first aim is to get an elected representative on to the board, then to buy a stake in the club. But our long-term aim is to buy the club outright," said trust spokesperson Marilyn Croft.

"I don't see why we can't run the football club. The supporters are running Lincoln City very successfully.

"The fans have the club's interest at heart and, to be honest, I can't see this system failing.

"We're no worse qualified than previous owners. You don't need any special degree to run a football club.

"Ideally, all clubs should be run by the fans. We were here in the beginning and we'll still be here at the end.

"Other people come and go. You've got to have a love of the club otherwise you'll get problems."

A supporters trust is being formed because, with the Swans losing £25,000 a week and with no sign of any new investors on the horizon, the fans fear for the future of the club.

Last July around 100 supporters met in Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, and unanimously voted in favour of setting up their own trust.

It will raise money by charging a £5 membership fee as well as relying on donations. It will also ask the local business community for financial help.

The supporters' trust has already received the backing of First Minister Rhodri Morgan, entertainer Max Boyce, former Swansea manager John Toshack, rugby legend Gareth Edwards and Wales and Celtic striker John Hartson.

At the moment the group's priority is to get representation on the board which means they will have to pay 10 per cent of whatever the club is valued at.

"We want to make sure there will be league football in Swansea for future generations. That's why we've set up the trust," said Mrs Croft.

"The interest in what we're doing has been terrific. So far we've raised £1,500 and we haven't even launched yet. In fact, the response has been quite over-whelming.

"There is a genuine fear that we could lose our club. Things are looking particularly shaky and we must make sure there is a safety net in place in case the worst happens.

"We hope people will donate to the supporters' trust because they love their club. That's the way we will buy shares in it."

Swansea City managing director Mike Lewis "bought" the club from Ninth Floor plc last July for £1 and agreed to repay loans of just over £800,000.

Lewis admits he cannot afford to keep the club going by himself and is looking to lure investors to the Vetch.

But three weeks into the season and there is still no sign of any new blood, sparking fears that the Swans are heading for receiver-ship.

"The club has had problems for a number of years. This isn't the first time we've been worried about the future," said Mrs Croft.

"A group of us got together and decided we had to do something about it. We decided that if we didn't stand up and let ourselves be counted then one day we could lose Swansea City.

"This is the first time something like this has happened in Wales and it's very exciting. We've been working our socks off to get this off the ground. I can't see it not working."

To join or contact the Swansea City Supporters' Trust write to SCST, PO Box 314, Swansea, SA1 7YB.

Cheltenham midfielder Mark Yates scored the last-minute goal that denied Swansea their first win of the season and earned Cheltenham a point.

The Swans dominated the first half and went in front after only 10 minutes when Stuart Roberts powered home the rebound after a Kris O'Leary shot had been blocked.

They went further ahead with a Matthew Bound penalty six minutes before the interval and seemed certain to be on course for their first home league win of the season until Cheltenham launched a tremendous late fight-back.

Mike Duff headed home Keith Hill's free-kick with 70 minutes gone and, after Martin Devaney and Tony Naylor had both gone close, Yates grabbed a last-gasp equaliser with a header from a Neil Howarth cross.