LEE TRUNDLE inspired Swansea to a minor FA Cup upset against Rushden & Diamonds - then claimed Brian Flynn's side were better than a lot of the other teams in Division Two.

Rushden clinched promotion as Third Division champions last season while the Swans were battling at the other end of the table, but it was the supposed underdogs who showed the greater class in Saturday's first-round tie.

That came as no surprise to Trundle, though. For the Liverpudlian, who took just 38 minutes to mark his return from injury with his 12th goal of the campaign, reckons Swansea are a cut above many of Rushden's Second Division rivals too.

"We're better than half the teams in Division Two," claimed Trundle after making his first start since picking up knee ligament damage at Leyton Orient on October 11.

"I mean, yes, it's always good to beat a side from a higher league, but don't forget that Rushden have only just got up into the Second Division. And I really don't think that there's much difference in standard between the Second and the Third. I've played in Division Two (for Wrexham) and it's just a case of teams being well organised - same as Division Three, really."

Perhaps elaborating on why he chose to sign a one-year extension to his Vetch Field contract last week, Trundle said he was convinced Swansea had the potential to challenge in the upper reaches of Division Two.

"The hardest task is getting out of the division we're in at the moment," said the 27-year-old.

"But hopefully we can do that this season and I don't see any reason why we couldn't then push up the Second Division table."

For the moment, though, the man with the white daps and the distinctive Mohican spikes is eyeing more cup success after Swansea negotiate vital November league meetings with Northampton, Darlington and York.

And Trundle - through to the second stage of the cup for the first time in his career - knows who he wants should Flynn's men make it to round three.

"Everton would be nice," he smiled. "I played against them in the Worthington Cup at Wrexham last season, but it would be great to get them at the Vetch."

Swansea City manager Brian Flynn is hoping to have striker Lee Trundle back in action within the next two weeks.
Scans have revealed the 12-goal striker had suffered no serious damage to his knee ligaments, after being forced to limp off in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient.

The Swans had initially feared that the in-form marksman, who exclusively revealed to skysports.com last week he would consider a call up for Republic of Ireland, would be ruled out for a substantial period but Flynn's fears have been allayed with the news that the injury is not serious.

The Vetch Field boss said: "The good news in that he's just tweaked the ligaments and we hope to have him back in the first team within about two weeks.

"It's a big relief the damage is not more serious.

"But the others have been making their contributions too this season and in the meantime it's up to them to carry on pitching in with the goals."

SWANS loan target Richie Partridge is open to offers, his agent revealed last night.

The Liverpool and Ireland under 21 winger, who enjoyed successful loan spells at Coventry and Bristol Rovers last term, has been linked with a switch to the Vetch.

Swans supremo Brian Flynn has been weighing up bringing in a winger on loan with two of his current wide men, Brad Maylett and Kieron Durkan, both recovering from injury.

Maylett is now close to full fitness and news is positive regarding Durkan's knee injury, but with Flynn keen to sustain the Swan's impressive start to the season, he may yet be tempted take a plunge into the loan market for a wide man.

If Partridge fits the bill, then the exciting winger would be keen to talk.

"We haven't had any direct contact with Swansea City, but if the player was happy with a deal I'm sure it would be a great move for him," said Partridge's agent Neil Sang, who also looks after the interests of Swans strike hero Lee Trundle.

"Richie is looking for a loan move and I think Swansea would be the kind of club that could help him develop his career."

Partridge, 23, has been with the Merseyside giants since he was 15, and made his first team debut in Liverpool's emphatic 8-0 Worthington Cup victory over Stoke City in November 2000. Meanwhile Swansea City have extended Mark Wilson's loan deal from Middlesbrough for another month.

Lee Trundle scored his 12th goal of the season to help maintain Swansea's promotion charge with a 2-1 victory at Leyton Orient.

Brian Flynn's side found themselves 2-0 up midway through the first half and never looked like dropping the points despite a late scare.

Trundle opened the scoring with a quality finish, driving the ball into the top corner after being set up by Kevin Nugent.

The forward returned the favour shortly after when his dangerous cross from the left wing allowed Nugent to power a header past goalkeeper Lee Harrison.

Orient attempted to fight back but failed to break down the City backline until moments before the final whistle.

Chris Tate's excellent back-post header found its way over the line despite the efforts of Roger Freestone but the visitors held on through a spell of heavy pressure in injury-time.

BRIAN FLYNN hopes his injury-ravaged Swansea City squad will be close to full strength within the next 11 days.

Of the eight Swans players currently on the Vetch treatment table, only two - James Thomas and Jonathan Coates - are expected to return for tomorrow's trip to Leyton Orient.

But, by the time Swans host Cambridge on Tuesday week, Flynn hopes midfielder Karl Connolly will be the only one still on the sidelines.

"Things are starting to settle - at last - and a lot of people are on their way back," said the Swans boss, cursed by a succession of injuries over the past month.

"Brad Maylett is making good progress, Kieron Durkan's knee is not as bad as we first feared and most of the others will be back within days rather than weeks.

"Roberto (Martinez), Leon (Hylton) and Stuart (Jones) are all hoping to be fit for the game against Kidderminster next Saturday.

"Given the terrible run of injuries we've had to cope with, it's a huge relief to see so much light at the end of the tunnel.

"And the most pleasing thing is I will soon have some very welcome selection problems."

With the good news on the injury front, Flynn has ruled out the possibility of bringing in a winger on loan ahead of the Swans' visit to East London.

The Swans yesterday confirmed Middlesbrough midfielder Mark Wilson is to spend a second month on loan at the Vetch.

And the Football League have stripped leading scorer Lee Trundle of his 11th goal of the season he claimed in the 2-2 draw against Lincoln last weekend.

League officials have ruled it was actually an own goal against defender Ben Futcher after reviewing the match video.

Leyton Orient caretaker manager Martin Ling hopes to have Simon Downer, Justin Miller and Lee Thorpe available after injury for the game against Swansea.

Downer is back after groin trouble, Miller has shrugged off a hamstring injury and Thorpe has recovered from a knee problem.

Jabo Ibehre and Gary Alexander are also fit despite suffering knocks against Macclesfield. Alan McCormack is back from suspension having signed a one-month extension to his loan move from Preston.

Swansea director of football Brian Flynn has no new injury worries ahead of the clash.

Brad Maylett is still sidelined with a dead leg sustained at Huddersfield, although he his hoping to take part in a reserves game next week.

Meanwhile, James Thomas and Jonathan Coates are added to the squad after recovering from injuries.

Lee Trundle will pledge his future to Republic of Ireland, if they follow up their interest in him and call him up.
The Liverpool-born Swansea City star has set the Third Division on fire this season with 11 goals in just 13 games.

Trundle arrived at The Vetch Field in the summer when he left Wrexham and opted to join The Swans, despite having a number of club from higher divisions interested in his services.

However, the move to South Wales has paid massive dividends as he is now topping the goalscoring charts in the lower leagues.

Swansea manager Brian Flynn recommended Trundle to Irish boss Brian Kerr after being informed that the forward qualified for the Republic through his grandparents.

"We were told that he could play because of one of his grandparents," Flynn explained to skysports.com.

"I then informed Brian Kerr about his availability, and he said he would follow it up.

"He is playing really well and scoring, and I told him he could do well."

The player's agent Neil Sang confirmed that he would jump at the chance to represent Eire.

"He would take the chance, without a doubt," Sang explained to skysports.com.

"We understand he has been watched by Chris Hughton [Irish assistant coach] on a few occasions.

"He is playing really well and he could do a job for the full national team.

"The likes of Glen Crowe have played and Lee is capable of doing a job."

Swansea City have extended the loan of midfielder Mark Wilson until mid-November from Premiership side Middlesbrough.
The former England Under-21 international initially joined the Vetch Field outfit on a month's loan in September but manager Brian Flynn has been able to extend the player's stay in South Wales until November 16.

The Swans were initially keen to sign Manchester United's Neil Wood last month, but he opted for a loan move to Peterborough United instead, and Flynn diverted his attention to Wilson from Boro instead.

Wilson is now one of three Middlesbrough players to be on loan with Nationwide League clubs, with Philip Gulliver going to Bury and Craig Dove heading to York City on one-month loans each.

JAMES THOMAS has revealed how he went from the high of saving Swansea City from relegation to the low of fearing for his future at the club in a matter of months.

The 24-year-old striker admits the start he has had to the current campaign has been nothing short of a nightmare compared to the way he finished the last one.

In May, Thomas was in dreamland after scoring a final-day hat-trick against Hull to prevent his hometown club losing their battle to remain in the Football League.

Just two months into this season, though, and the former Blackburn Rovers man not only found himself out of favour at the Vetch, but also suffered an embarrassing case of gout which kept him on the sidelines for a further seven weeks.

Finally fit again and back to action in the midweek LDV Vans Trophy upset against Southend, Thomas said his season would start afresh this afternoon when Rushden & Diamonds are Vetch visitors in the first round of the FA Cup.

But he admitted there came a time just a few weeks ago when he had to ask boss Brian Flynn whether he still had a future with the Swans.

"I went to see the manager around the time of the Yeovil game to ask a few questions," revealed Thomas.

"I didn't want to complain about not being in the starting line-up, but when you're not playing you do start to wonder about things.

"And I just wanted the manager to reassure me that I was still part of his plans for the future.

"He told me I was still an important part of the squad and said it was just a case of being patient and my chance would come.

"It was good to have those reassurances. I was a bit worried, but most people would be if they're not in the side.

"I want to be a part of the team and it was never a case of me asking to go out on loan or anything like that."

But Thomas admits it has been difficult coming to terms with his contrasting fortunes over the past six months.

He started the first two league games of the season, scoring in the 4-3 win at Cheltenham on August 16, but then lost his place in the side before injury struck and refused to go away.

"When I think about how I felt at the end of last season, it's been a bit depressing the way things have gone so far this year," said Thomas.

"But I've got to put it all behind me now and concentrate on winning my place back in the side.

"It's going to be harder than ever to do that because Lee (Trundle) and Kevin (Nugent) have been doing so well and Danny (Nardiello) is here too.

"It's a real challenge, but I'm up for it. For me, the season starts here."

Thomas need not worry about competition from Nardiello as he - along with Swansea's other two loan stars Alan Tate and Mark Wilson - are cup-tied today.

But with 11-goal top scorer Trundle fit again and Nugent expected to be restored, Thomas might have to settle for a place on the bench.

Midfielders Andy Robinson and Leon Britton also return after missing the Southend game.

More encouraging news for the home side is the fact Rushden strike pair Onandi Lowe, top scorer with nine goals, and former West Ham man Paul Kitson are both out.

Injury also prevents Robert Duffy - the elder brother of Swans defender Richard - from a Vetch outing.

"It'll be a tough game, but Rushden are probably more worried about it than we are," said Thomas.

"I don't think they'll be looking forward to coming to the Vetch. As for ourselves, we owe the fans a decent performance after Southend."

THERE was no disguising the frustration on Brian Flynn's face after Swansea's sparkling home form deserted them.

And it was no wonder the Swans boss looked so down in the mouth because this was probably the most disappointing result of the season so far.

Forget the defeats at Oxford, Yeovil and Hull - you can account for those. But few people expected a Swansea side who have made it their raison d'etre to entertain at the Vetch to have to salvage a point against mid-table Lincoln.

And, as a forlorn-looking Flynn admitted, sleepwalking through the first 15 minutes and gifting their opponents a 2-0 lead is not something he or anyone else has come to expect from the Swans at home.

"It wasn't a great performance and it wasn't a great game," said Flynn, probably summing up what most of the 8,000 spectators went home thinking.

"There's an expectancy at the Vetch now, isn't there? We've created that by starting the season so well at home, playing entertaining football and scoring goals left, right and centre.

"But we didn't live up to that and for that reason, because I know we can play so much better, it's a particularly frustrating result.

"Let's be realistic about it - there are going to be times when we don't play well at home. But I don't want it to happen often."

At least Flynn can take comfort from the manner in which Swansea fought back after handing Lincoln an 11th-minute lead which the visitors doubled from the penalty spot four minutes later.

But this was the third game in a row that Swansea have started badly, fallen behind and needed a rousing half-time team talk to stoke them up.

And, despite a spirited comeback led by the outstanding Andy Robinson and completed with an apparent own goal that Lee Trundle claimed, Flynn admitted the performance fell short of what he expects.

"It's not like me to be negative and I don't want to be too downbeat because we showed tremendous character to get back into the game after going 2-0 down," he said.

"You could also argue that Lincoln got to the Third Division play-off final last season, they're an awkward team to come up against, the conditions weren't ideal and so on.

"But nothing excuses the fact we did not have impose ourselves on the game enough.

"We should have passed the ball better and quicker. Teams are never going to come to the Vetch and say, 'Just let Swansea play.'

"So it's our job to take the game to teams. But we didn't do enough of that. We let them into it."

If Flynn needed further justification for strengthening his defence or hastening the return of Jason Smith, it came 11 minutes into this match when Swansea dozed off at the back.

Roger Freestone marked his 600th League appearance with the first blunder, a poor goal-kick landing at the feet of a grateful Marcus Richardson.

Michael Howard failed to clear the resulting through-ball and Lincoln were allowed to carve into the Swansea area before Richard Butcher slotted in from close range.

Four minutes later it was 2-0, Paul Mayo converting a spot-kick after Gary Fletcher's overhead kick struck the arm of Richard Duffy. But Robinson, the man rivalling Trundle for the headlines at the moment, sparked sloppy Swansea into life with a superb 20-yard volley after a clever dummy by Lenny Johnrose.

The Swans did start to show glimpses of the cavalier football that so impressively produced five wins and 16 goals from the first five matches of the campaign.

But Lincoln - route one specialists - did their best to stop Swansea getting their passing game going and the second half was a scrappy, occasionally bad-tempered affair.

Lincoln were reduced to 10 men when Mayo was dismissed for two reckless - and bookable - challenges on Leon Britton in as many minutes.

And the visitors' frustration was compounded five minutes later when the irrepressible Trundle steered home Robinson's deep cross with a deflection off Ben Futcher that television replays suggested was an own goal.

"The bottom line is we avoided defeat despite not playing particularly well," said Flynn after the Swans had dropped to third place in the slipstream of Hull and Mansfield.

"And we still haven't lost two on the bounce."

THE glum looks on some of the Swansea fans' faces after a solitary point at the Vetch says a lot about how far their side have come since last year.

But to get a result after being almost dead and buried just a quarter into the game says just as much about Brian Flynn's men than some of the resounding wins earlier in the campaign.

Andy Robinson and (who else but) Lee Trundle rescued a point from this scrappy affair after Richard Butcher and Paul Mayo had put the Imps two up in minutes.

Trundle's 74th minute equaliser was the result of Swansea's insistence to try, try and try again.

Had they not, a zero return from the fixture would have been no less than the Swans deserved for some uninspired defending.

Richard Duffy, Izzy Iriekpen and Roger Freestone were all guilty of some less than comforting displays at the back.

Perhaps Freestone already had his mind on his after-match celebrations for his 600th league appearance when he presented the visitors with a golden chance to open the scoring, his goal kick trickling to the feet of Marcus Richardson. Michael Howard's covering tackle should have cleared the danger but the Imps ran amok in the Swansea area and Richard Butcher - eventually - was on hand to poke the ball into the net.

Futcher bravely ran the length of the North Bank to celebrate the opener and his teammates hadn't even caught their breath back when they were jumping for joy for their second. Richard Duffy, sent off at Hull in midweek, continued his run of misfortune when referee Eddie Evans adjudged the youngster to have handled in the area and Paul Mayo made no mistake from the spot.

But the creators in the Swansea side - be it a depleted one - and the style in which Brian Flynn employs them means they're always a neat move away from a goal.

And so it proved when Andy Robinson finished off a passage of clever passing with a venomous left-footed strike which flew past Alan Marriot in the Imps' net.

Booked for a high-footed challenge, Mayo was heading for the away dressing room three minutes later.

The advantage paid dividends when the Swans got the equaliser they craved via Lee Trundle.

By all accounts Martin Ling does not suffer fools gladly. That is possibly why he managed to get Leyton Orient to end a seven-match streak without a win on Tuesday at Carlisle.

Ling, by the way, is caretaker manager at Brisbane Road.

Last week he was assistant manager to Paul Brush; this week he stepped into his shoes after the ex-West Ham defender was given the boot after last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Huddersfield.

He may not be the experienced manager that Orient chairman Barry Hearn is looking for but, on the other hand, he could be the right man for the job.

Hearn knows exactly the qualities he is looking for in his new manager, and he won't be falling into the trap of seeking a big name in order to appease the fans.

Ex-Swindon midfielder Ling could be that man, even though Hearn has laid down his mandate.

And he could still be in charge when Swansea visit East London next week.

''I want a more experienced manager, someone that's done it before at this level,'' Hearn told the Evening Standard this week.

''I've been in touch with several big names but what do they know about the Third Division?

''It's a different world down there. I want someone who's desperate for the job, a manager who's determined to make things happen.

''Leyton Orient can be viewed as a stepping stone, so we need someone who wants to be here.

''I want to get out of Division Three the right way and am looking for someone who shares that passion.''

Ling took the reins from Brush after Saturday's defeat at the McAlpine Stadium left Orient one place off the bottom of the division.

Brush's record had been poor, especially with those seven games without a win.

''Unfortunately, results have not been good enough and Paul has accepted that,'' Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn told the club's official website.

''Paul has been completely dedicated and professional in his approach to the job, and we're sorry things haven't worked out.

''I have spoken to him and we have agreed to part company. It is a shame, but it is a decision that has been made with Leyton Orient's best interests at heart - our results have to improve.''

This meant Tuesday's match with Carlisle at Brunton Park was crucial.

Defeat would have meant the Londoners would have been propping up the Football League, a position that Swansea know only too well from their visits there last season.

But, as is quite often the case, Orient defied the odds of a strenuous midweek journey and a battering from Carlisle to escape with all three points.

Brian Flynn will know it will not be easy going to Orient.

By that time, either Ling would have worked his magic or a new man would have taken his place.

Either way, Flynn knows that with a new man at the helm, the players will be looking to impress, and that could spell danger for the Swans.

But Flynn will have his side ready for anything come next week, having been a new man himself just over a year ago.

Swansea came back from two goals down to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw against 10-man Lincoln.

The Imps took a commanding early lead through Richard Butcher (11) and a Paul Mayo penalty (15), but the Swans hit back three minutes later through Andy Robinson.

Lincoln had Mayo sent off in the second half for a second yellow card offence and then Lee Trundle's deflected shot levelled the scores.

Mayo was booked for a foul on Britton and he was then dismissed for bringing down Trundle.

The Welshmen piled on the pressure in the closing minutes but they were unable to break down the Lincoln defence.

Born-again striker Juan Pablo Angel has been named by givemefootball readers as the Official PFA Fans' Player of the Month for September after rediscovering the sort of form which first persuaded Aston Villa to invest £9 million in the Colombian's goalscoring talents.

Angel struggled desperately in his first season at Villa Park, under Graham Taylor, but since the arrival of David O'Leary he has begun to show what he is capable of and this fans' award is confirmation that Villa supporters have renewed faith in the South American.

The Villa boss says of his rejuvenated striker, who was instrumental in the 2-1 league win over Charlton and who scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 Carling Cup win over Wycombe: "Scoring the goals does no one any harm.

"It can only boost the confidence of the players. Since the ninth of July when we reported back, Juan Pablo has been lovely to deal with.

"He is a nice person off the pitch, he is good to speak to and wants to learn. He is interested in learning how to look after yourself off the pitch. He wants to do well and play well."

He has certainly been doing that in recent weeks, as has First Division Player of the Month Graham Kavanagh who has played a key role in Cardiff City's bid to gain back-to-back promotions.

Although The Bluebirds suffered a blip in losing three games on the trot during September, they have rediscovered their form in recent games with a win against Crewe and a hard-earned draw against in-form Wigan.

Second Division winner is Swindon striker Tommy Mooney who has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form since joining the Wiltshire club on a year-long deal from Birmingham City in the summer.

His partnership with Sam Parkin and on-loan signing James Milner has been an important factor behind Swindon's impressive start to the season and during September their only defeat was the penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of Leeds in the Carling Cup.

Swansea's Lee Trundle has also been scoring goals for fun so far this season - 10 already - and is the worthy winner in Division Three as The Swans hit the promotion trail.

Swansea will be without Brad Maylett for the game against Lincoln.

He is still recovering from a dead leg sustained in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield.

Lee Jenkins and Jason Smith are expected to be named in the squad again after recovering from ankle injuries.

Lincoln will give late fitness tests to Mark Bailey, Paul Morgan, Ben Futcher and Simon Yeo.

Bailey (thigh), Morgan (hamstring) and Futcher (calf) all sustained knocks in the goalless draw with Northampton.

Morgan looks the biggest doubt after he was replaced by Matt Bloomer eight minutes from time.

Yeo is also in danger of missing the clash after he tweaked a hamstring on Tuesday.

BRIAN FLYNN challenged his Swansea City players to immediately snatch back the Division Three leadership after Hull knocked them off top in a tense top-of-the-table clash last night.

Ten-man Swansea swapped places with the Tigers after Peter Taylor's side held onto a 1-0 lead they established when midfielder Stuart Elliott powered home a header after 27 minutes.

Flynn's battlers - who had Roger Freestone to thank for a string of fine saves - rattled the woodwork on several occasions, but could not find force an equaliser in a nervous top-two encounter in front of more than 20,000 fans at the swish new Kingston Communications Stadium.

The disappointment of Swansea's first defeat in five games was compounded eight minutes from time when youngster Richard Duffy was dismissed for a reckless challenge on the goalscorer Elliott.

But boss Flynn insisted he would take plenty of positives from the game - and challenged his men to bounce straight back with a win against Lincoln at the Vetch at the weekend.

"There's no shame in suffering a 1-0 defeat against a very good side like Hull," said the director of football.

"It was always going to be tight and we were expecting an onslaught, but I have to say that I'm delighted with the way my team performed.

"We have lost to a decent team away from home, but I think we have demonstrated what a good side we are.

"The quality of our passing and movement was very pleasing - especially in the second-half - and it could have been a different story had we taken the chances we had rather than hitting the woodwork on a number of occasions."

Flynn, lamenting Swansea's first defeat since the 2-0 reverse at Yeovil on September 6, went on, "What was my message to the players afterwards? Simply that we've lost one game, but the challenge now is to win on Saturday.

"Considering the quality of players in their squad, I'm convinced Hull will be challenging up the top all season.

"But, equally, I feel we will be up there with them.

"Look at the number of players we were missing again last night - we still have five or six men out.

"Yet we proved again that we can cope with the injuries.

"Flynn said he would speak to 18-year-old defender Duffy today, who became the third Swans player to receive his marching orders this season for his hot-headed challenge on Elliott in the 82nd minute.

"I have no complaints with the red card - it was a rash challenge - that is youthful inexperience showing and Richard will be OK.

"I'll sit down and have a chat with him tomorrow.

"You learn from things like that.

Taylor expressed his delight at snatching top spot off the Swans in their first meeting since the infamous May 3 clash at the Vetch in which Flynn's men beat the Tigers 4-2 to avoid relegation.

"I'm delighted with the three points - I thought we deserved it on our first-half performance and we kept our temper well.

"I knew Swansea would come back at us, but we stood up to that and it's pleasing to go top of the league.

"Swansea were not top of the league for nothing. Overall, I thought the game was a good advert for Division Three."

The Swans had gone into the clash with a proud one-point lead at the top after claiming seven wins from their first 10 league outings, one place above Taylor's Tigers.

Home fans should have seen their team take a sixth-minute lead when Elliott released Hull's £100,000 summer purchase Danny Allsopp. But the former Notts County striker's lob found the side-netting instead of the back of Freestone's goal.

The visitors were on the defensive for most of the opening 20 minutes, Duffy almost finding the back of his own net when he made a mess of a cross from former Swan Jason Price.

The Swans were indebted to two fine saves from Freestone, the veteran tipping a Ben Burgess volley over the bar before blocking a fierce drive from Elliott. But Swansea's resistance crumbled in the 27th minute when Stuart Green floated in a corner and Elliott rose on the edge of the eight-yard box to direct a thumping header past Freestone.

Defensively, it had been a shaky first-half for the Swans, though Izzy Iriekpen came close at the other end five minutes before the break with a back-header that went just wide of a post.

Trundle became the fourth Swansea player to pick up a caution - Duffy, Johnrose and Kevin Nugent were the others - when he was booked for dissent in the 45th minute.

Three minutes into the second-half the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser, Andy Robinson striking the outside of the post with a low effort.

Freestone made another vital save, smothering an Allsopp effort at close range, as Swansea began to gain more possession.

Trundle squandered a chance when Musselwhite stumbled in the box before Iriekpen came close when he diverted Mark Wilson's free-kick against the crossbar, Kris O'Leary wastefully putting the rebound wide.

There was a scare for Swansea in the 76th minute when Duffy and O'Leary dithered at the back, allowing Allsopp to race clear. The striker shot across the goal, but Michael Howard was there to clear off the line.

Events took a turn for the worse for the Swans eight minutes from time when Duffy was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Elliott near the corner flag.

The 18-year-old - the victim of some fussy refereeing from Lee Mason - was ushered protectively down the tunnel by Flynn as the Swans searched in vain for the equaliser.

Peter Taylor's Hull went top of the Third Division in front of a 21,000 crowd after a solitary Stuart Elliott strike toppled 10-man Swansea.

Elliott pounced for the decisive goal on 27 minutes to head home a deserved winner for Hull, who bossed the game throughout, while Swansea's misery was compounded when Richard Duffy was sent off late on.

Hull piled on the pressure in the early minutes and came desperately close to taking the lead when Andy Dawson released Danny Allsopp, who lobbed the ball into the side netting.

Hull again came close when Stuart Green's cross was turned just over his own crossbar by Duffy.

The home side did take the lead though when Dawson's outswinging corner was met by a thumping Elliott header from six yards.

Swansea came out fighting in the second half though and twice hit the woodwork through Andy Robinson and Izzy Iriekpen as Hull were pegged backed for a spell.

However, the home side imposed their dominance on the game again and Elliott and Allsopp both came close.

In the dying minutes Duffy was shown a straight red card for clattering into Elliott and Hull cruised to the final whistle to record their third straight win.

HULL CITY have overtaken Swansea City at the top of Division Three with a 1-0 victory over the Welsh side at the Kingston Communications Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Stuart Elliott's first half strike was enough to take Peter Taylor's side two points clear of the Vetch Field club, as Brian Flynn's men had Richard Duffy sent off for two yellow card offences late on.

Yeovil Town are third after a solid 2-0 victory over Boston United at Huish Park, as a Gavin Williams penalty was followed by a second goal from Adam Lockwood seven minutes before the break in Somerset.

Mansfield Town move up to third following an excellent 3-1 away at Bristol Rovers, as Junior Mendes and a Craig Disley brace was enough to take the points at the Memorial Stadium while The Pirates replied through a Paul Tait penalty in the dying stages in the West Country.

Scunthorpe United scored a huge 5-2 victory over Cheltenham Town at Glanford Park, with Steven McLean scoring a hat-trick, one a penalty, for The Iron.

Peter Beagrie and Steve Torpey added singles for the home side while veteran Bob Taylor and a Grant McCann penalty replied for Bobby Gould's side.

Goals from Chris Porter and Joe O'Neill gave Bury a 2-0 win over York City at Gigg Lane.

In a remarkable match at the Abbey Stadium, Doncaster Rovers overturned a 3-0 deficit to earn a 3-3 draw versus Cambridge United.

The U's had roared out to a seemingly comfortable three-goal lead through Shane Tudor and a Dave Kitson brace.

However, Donny came back to draw with goals from Francis Tierney, Mark Albrighton and Tim Ryan.

Huddersfield Town got an early goal from the highly-rated Jonathan Stead to defeat Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 at the McAlpine Stadium.

Darlington and Southend United were unable to break the deadlock at the Reynolds Arena following a 0-0 draw.

Lincoln City and managerless Northampton Town also had to settle for a point at Sincil Bank, as they drew 0-0.

Macclesfield Town overturned a one-goal deficit at Moss Rose to win 2-1 over local rivals Rochdale.

On-loan Chris Shuker had put Dale in front but a Daryl Burgess own-goal and a Danny Whitaker strike seven minutes after that gave The Silkmen victory.

Finally, managerless Leyton Orient earn a vital 1-0 victory over Carlisle United at Brunton Park to keep The Cumbrians at the foot of the table.

Jabo Ibehre's second half strike was enough to give The O's a positive start to the post-Paul Brush era in Cumbria.

FORMER England manager Peter Taylor has backed Brian Flynn to keep Swansea City on course for promotion.

The Swans head into tonight's showdown against Taylor’s Hull with a one-point lead at the top of Division Three after winning seven of their first 10 games.

Flynn's men face Hull for the first time since dramatically escaping relegation from the Football League with a last-gasp 4-2 win over the Humberside club on the final day of last season.

Last night Taylor paid tribute to the way Flynn has transformed Swansea from Conference candidates to championship contenders just five months on from that unforgettable Vetch Field encounter.

And the former Leicester boss ' whose team trail the Swans by one point in second place ' believes Flynn has crafted a side good enough to remain in the promotion picture all season.

'Brian's doing a cracking job at Swansea, but that does not surprise me considering the quality of players he brought in during the summer,' said Taylor. 'He's an experienced manager who knows exactly what he's doing. It's no big shock that Swansea are at the top of the league.

'What's more, because of the high standard of players Brian has brought in, I think they can stay there too.'

While the Swans retained their league status courtesy of James Thomas' momentous May 3 hat-trick, the Tigers registered a disappointing 13th-place finish last season.

However, having since splashed £100,000 on one player – Notts County striker Danny Allsopp – Hull are at last living up to their pre-season billing of promotion favourites.

But few expected the Swans to be heading to the Kingston Communications Stadium top of the Third Division after dropping just eight points in their first 10 outings.

'Swansea are certainly the team to beat at the moment and I have to make sure we are ready for them,' said Taylor, England boss for a 1-0 defeat in Italy in November 2000 following the end of Kevin Keegan's reign.

'It might surprise a lot of people that Swansea are doing so well, but look at some of the players Brian has brought in.

'Lee Trundle is one who is on fire at the moment. Ten goals in 10 games is some strike rate and we must make sure we don't give him time or space.'

But, after demolishing Kidderminster 6-1 at the weekend while Swansea claimed a less emphatic 2-1 win at Carlisle, it is Taylor's side who carry the greater momentum into tonight's big meeting.

'We played some outstanding football in the second half against Kidderminster and the good thing is I think there's more to come from us,' said Taylor, who succeeded former Swans manager Jan Molby at Hull in October 2002.

'It's important we keep improving and, though Swansea is a massive game for us, we don't fear anyone at the moment. We are capable of beating anyone ' especially at home, where our fans have been superb.'

And Taylor is challenging Hull supporters to make the atmosphere as intimidating for Flynn's men as Swans fans made it for his team at the Vetch five months ago.

'The most difficult thing about that game at Swansea was the noise generated by the home supporters,' he said.

'What would be ideal is if our crowd could create the same sort of atmosphere for Swansea.

'There should be a big attendance and we're looking forward to the challenge.'

Hull City's new signing Ryan France could be set to make his full debut in the home game with Swansea.

He replaces Jason Price, who is ill.

Ian Ashbee has a chance of playing, despite missing the weekend victory over Kidderminster Harriers game with a hamstring injury.

Defenders Marc Joseph (knee) and Alton Thelwell (foot) are still out of the reckoning.

But goalkeeper Alan Fettis, who was on the bench against Kidderminster, has recovered from a knee problem and could replace Paul Musselwhite between the sticks.

Swansea will still be without winger Brad Maylett, who faces at least another week on the sidelines after suffering a dead leg against Huddersfield.

But midfielder Lee Jenkins and defender Jason Smith, substitutes on Saturday, could both feature at the KC Stadium after recovering from ankle injuries.

REFEREE Alan Kaye dished out seven yellow cards - four for Swansea - and awarded two penalties but Brian Flynn had no complaints with his performance.

"At times it was a scrappy, bad-tempered game, but I thought the referee handled it pretty well," said the Swans boss, who saw Michael Howard, Lee Trundle, Lenny Johnrose and Kris O'Leary booked for various offences.

"If you look at his positioning for every major decision, he was right on the spot.

"It was far from being our best performance of the season, but the bottom line is we've collected a 2-1 win.

"Credit to Carlisle - they had done their homework on us and stopped us, certain individuals in particular - from playing.

"But we've got to become accustomed to games like that and get better at dealing with them.

"We went away to the bottom club and even at this early stage of the season, you had the sense that Carlisle were fighting for their lives."

MARK WILSON revealed the inspiration behind Swansea's improved second-half display... boss Brian Flynn made them feel embarrassed during the interval.

"The manager is not one to shout and bawl and throw tea cups round the dressing room, but he made it clear our first-half performance was not good enough," said the winning goalscorer.

"What he did do at half-time was make us feel disappointed and ashamed and that was probably a good thing because we were a lot better after the break.

"The same thing happened at Scunthorpe a fortnight ago - we fell behind, realised we could do better then dug deep and our character shone through in the end.

"The thing about this team is we have bags and bags of quality.

"A year ago I think Swansea would have thrown a game like Carlisle away.

"But we were determined to hold onto what we had and that's the mark of a good side."

CARLISLE caretaker player-manager Paul Simpson blamed the match officials for the defeat that left his side two points adrift at the bottom of Division Three.

Home fans accused Lee Trundle of diving to win the match-winning free kick and were not happy with the way referee Alan Kaye handled an increasingly bad-tempered second half.

And Simpson said, "It's always easy to blame somebody else, but I really do think there was a reason for us losing this game.

"The officials in charge have had a spell during the second half where I don't think many people could understand their decisions.

"These decisions affected the outcome of the game and that's a real shame.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed with the result, but, to be honest, I'm not disappointed with the performance of my players as I felt they did everything they could to get a result.

"In the end it came down to a five-minute spell in the second half in which the game was lost."

MIKE HUGHES, a Swans fan based in Birmingham, was delighted with the manner in which Brian Flynn's men fought back after falling behind at Brunton Park.

"If we're going to win promotion this season - and it is still hard to believe we're top of the league - this is the type of game we've got to win," he said.

"It was an average first-half performance and I felt we deserved to be behind at half-time.

"But the Swans got their act together after the break.

"Lee Trundle seemed to wind up the opposition again, but he again showed how important he is to us by scoring the penalty and winning the free-kick.

"I thought Mark Wilson had a quiet-ish game, but, to be fair, he struck an excellent free-kick - the keeper was just left rooted to the spot.

"If we can take the second-half performance into the game at Hull on Tuesday, we've got a good chance of getting something there."

08 - Kris O'Leary, in space on the edge of the area, misses a chance to open the scoring when he balloons his shot over the bar

23 - Richie Foran wastes a good opportunity to put the home side in front when he blasts over the woodwork from eight yards

42 - Foran atones for his earlier miss by shooting Carlisle in front from the penalty spot after Kevin Nugent bundles over Will McDonagh

50 - McDonagh goes from hero to villain as he handles Kieron Durkan's cross into the area and Lee Trundle smashes home the spot-kick to level matters

55 - Mark Wilson puts Swans 2-1 up with a Beckham-esque free-kick

61 - O'Leary squanders another goal-scoring chance, this time blazing an effort over the woodwork from no more than 10 yards

76 - A McDonaugh thunderbolt from 30 yards hits Lenny Johnrose before cracking against the crossbar and bouncing off Roger Freestone

84 - A nervous finish for Swans as sub Brian Wake heads just wide

ROGER FREESTONE Lacked his usual goalmouth composure but no chance with the penalty 6

RICHARD DUFFY Youngster stood up well in the face of a robust Carlisle attack 7

KRIS O'LEARY Another whole-hearted display, but the defender had two decent chances to score 6

LENNY JOHNROSE One or two wobbly moments, but mostly solid in a defensive role he would rather not be performing 6

MICHAEL HOWARD Wasteful at times and received a needless booking for encroachment 5

MARK WILSON Won the game with a top-draw free-kick and showed some fine touches 7

LEON BRITTON Squeezed out of the midfield contest, one of his least effective performances5

KIERON DURKAN Deadly with crosses, but could have had more impact 6

LEE TRUNDLE Grabbed Goal No 10 and won the winning free-kick from which Wilson sealed the three points 7

KEVIN NUGENT Worked as hard as ever but struggled to get past the Carlisle rearguard 6

SubsLee Jenkins (for Duffy 85)

ANDY ROBINSON Another committed performance full of controlled aggression 8

HOURS of practising how to bend it like Beckham paid off handsomely for Mark Wilson at the weekend - and now he wants to be Swansea's free-kick specialist for the rest of the season.

The on-loan Middlesbrough man kept the Swans one point clear at the top of Division Three with a peach of a 25-yard strike his former Old Trafford team-mate would have been proud of.

And after doing what most Swansea followers had begun to think was impossible - stealing the limelight from Lee Trundle - Wilson promised there would be more of the same if he was given the chance to stay on at the Vetch.

For the 24-year-old midfielder, midway through his one-month loan spell with Brian Flynn's side, made it emphatically clear he is no hurry to get back to the Riverside.

"I don't get many chances to score goals like that. At United I had to get the ball off Beckham and Giggs and Middlesbrough have people like Juninho and Mendietta to take free-kicks," said Wilson.

"At Swansea I'm a lot closer to the top of the queue and I'm delighted with the opportunities I'm getting.

"There's no way I want to go back to Middlesbrough to play reserve team football - I'd much rather help the Swans win promotion.

"I've got two weeks left of the initial loan period, but I'd love to stay for longer.

"One month, two months, six... I'd be happy to stay on for the full period.

"I've got no problem dropping down to Division Three on a more permanent basis.

"If I have to do that to play regular first-team football, then that's what I'll do."

Neither Flynn nor the Swans faithful will have any problem with that if Wilson produces more match-winning tricks like his one on Saturday.

Five minutes after making it 1-1 from the penalty spot with his 10th goal in 10 games, Trundle - who else? - won the free-kick and Wilson curled it beautifully round the Carlisle wall and a goalkeeper who froze like a statue.

It proved enough to give Swansea only their second away win of the season and keep them top of the Third Division ahead of tomorrow's summit meeting with Hull.

And for Wilson it was the result of some envious glances in Beckham's direction as well as hours of hard work aimed at copying the England and Real Madrid superstar.

"When I was at Manchester United I used to stand and admire Beckham practising his free-kicks day in, day out on the training ground - it was something special," he said.

"You can't ever do it as well as he does, but you can try to copy him as best you can and that's what I've been doing.

"I have been working hard on set-pieces during training and it has paid off for me.

"I'm not saying I'm going to take them all for Swansea now - I had to wrestle the ball off Andy Robinson for this one and Lee (Trundle) always fancies his chances.

"But I'll keep on practising and I would love to grab a few more like that."

Had it not been for Wilson's 55th-minute gem, Swansea would've had to settle for a point from this bad-tempered tangle with the Third Division's bottom club, Carlisle themselves missing several players through injury.

Because, if truth be told, a draw was the most Flynn's men deserved on the basis of their dreadful first-half performance.

Having squandered a couple of good openings, the league leaders could have no complaints about going into the break trailing to Richie Foran's penalty, for a handball against Kevin Nugent.

Flynn is not one to give players the infamous hairdryer treatment Wilson would have experienced from Sir Alex Ferguson, but whatever he said at half-time inspired a more determined effort from his troops in the second period.

Even so, it was far from vintage stuff and by the final 10 minutes Swansea were hanging on for dear life.

"The quality of Mark Wilson's free-kick was the difference between the two sides," concurred Flynn, again defying the injury crisis that left him with just 14 fit pros for the trip to Cumbria.

"You wouldn't be able to print what I said to the players at half-time.

"Let's just say we sorted a few things out. The players were made aware that they needed to do better.

"What disappointed me about the first half? Everything.

"From back to front, front to back, we did not perform as we know we can."

Tongue in cheek - we think - Flynn added, "There was an improvement in the second half...the manager is always right isn't he? The manager does not make mistakes."

Striker James Thomas is expected to ease Flynn's injury headache ahead of tomorrow's top two battle at the Kingston Communications Stadium after missing the Carlisle match with a toe problem.

"Hull will be a big test for us," said Flynn. "It's a top-of-the-table clash. A great game to be involved in."

Step forward Wilson - another Beckham special would not go amiss tomorrow.

Swansea hot-shot Lee Trundle scored his 10th goal of the season and Mark Wilson slotted home a free-kick as Division Three leaders Swansea came from behind to beat Carlisle.

Trundle scored from the spot after Richie Foran had put Carlisle ahead from a penalty, before Wilson secured the points.

The hosts began brightly as they attempted to turn the formbook on its head with striker Kevin Henderson firing a right-foot shot over.

They threatened again shortly after but Foran, who has now scored three goals in his last four appearances, headed Brian Shelley's cross wide.

The visitors made their first forward foray after seven minutes but Kristian O'Leary was off target with his effort.

The same player was booked three minutes later after a foul on Henderson, who has impressed during his loan spell from Hartlepool.

Carlisle continued to impress in the early stages and Will McDonagh's shot was blocked before Paul Raven headed a corner straight at Roger Freestone.

Swansea finally got a foothold in the game as the 20-minute mark approached and in-form striker Trundle twice looked dangerous before Lenny Johnrose had a header saved.

Foran was posing a threat at the other end and he lashed a shot over the top following a Peter Murphy corner.

Caretaker boss Paul Simpson, expected to be named as Carlisle's permanent manager in the next few days, was absent again with a thigh strain, but his side continued to press with Foran's next attempt blocked by Michael Howard after 25 minutes.

Carlisle's Des Byrne was booked on the half hour and Trundle soon followed before defender Raven was forced off through injury with youngster David Molloy his replacement.

However, the Cumbrians forged ahead after 41 minutes when Foran slotted home a penalty after Wilson felled McDonagh.

Swansea pegged them back just five minutes after the interval, Trundle also converting a spot-kick after Byrne was adjudged to have handled. Henderson was booked for dissent after arguing about the penalty award, while Molloy was cautioned shortly after for a foul on Richard Duffy.

Brian Flynn's side turned the game around completely after 55 minutes, with on-loan midfielder Wilson firing home a free-kick from 25 yards after Trundle was fouled.

They were threatening to run away with it and Matthew Glennon made an excellent save to tip Andy Robinson's shot around the post.

Simpson made a change with 18 minutes remaining, Brian Wake replacing the hard-working Henderson, and his side almost equalised when McDonagh's long-range effort struck the woodwork after 75 minutes.

Wake then missed a good opportunity with seven minutes remaining when he headed Brendan McGill's cross wide from close range.

Division Three leaders Swansea came from behind to earn a 2-1 win and condemn rock-bottom Carlisle to their seventh defeat of the season.

Goals from Lee Trundle and Mark Wilson proved enough to claim the points after Richie Foran had given the hosts the lead.

Just as it looked as though Swansea were beginning to take control of the game, Foran fired the hosts in front with a well-taken penalty in the 42nd minute.

Kevin Nugent recklessly brought down William McDonagh and referee Alan Kaye had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Swansea responded immediately, and just minutes after the start of the second half they were on level terms with another sweetly-struck penalty.

Carlisle defender Des Byrne handled in the area and Trundle slammed the ensuing spot-kick into the top right corner.

The visitors took the lead moments later when Lee Andrews brought down Trundle 25 yards out, and Wilson netted a delightful curling free-kick past the despairing dive of Matthew Glennon.

Carlisle caretaker-manager Paul Simpson could welcome back Craig Farrell and Steve Livingstone for the visit of Swansea to Brunton Park.

They have been sidelined by ankle and groin injuries respectively, but suffered no ill effects to a midweek appearance for the reserves.

However, Darren Kelly is struggling to shake off the thigh strain which has kept him out of the last three games, while Adam Rundle and Craig Russell have similar problems.

Simpson himself is unavailable due to a thigh strain but Brian Wake is pushing for a starting place after scoring twice for the reserves.

Table-topping Swansea are without winger Brad Maylett and midfielder Karl Connolly.

Maylett sustained a dead leg in the closing stages of the 2-0 win against Huddersfield and faces two weeks on the sidelines. Connolly could be out for up to 10 weeks after suffering a broken ankle in the same game.

SWANSEA CITY striker James Thomas is desperate for a chance to impress manager Brian Flynn.

The former Blackburn centre-forward is back to full fitness after an ankle injury but knows that a return to first team action will be a difficult task as long as Lee Trundle is finding the back of the net.

Thomas has made way for the Vetch's man of the moment and former Cardiff City marksman Kevin Nugent whose goals have helped rocket last year's Division Three strugglers to the top of the table.

And while the Swans continue to fly high, last year's top scorer at the club with 15 goals is content to bide his time and hope for a chance.

"Lee Trundle is different from anything there has been at Swansea in years," said Thomas. "He's got the ability to score goals and make goals and he's combining well with Kevin Nugent.

"Nuge is a good target man who wins a lot of ball for Lee and they're playing off each other well.

"'I'm a different sort of player to both of them, but hopefully when I do get a chance I'll be able to combine with either of them."

Trundle's performances against Scunthorpe and Macclesfield earned him a place in the Division Three team of the week last week before his goal in the 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday took his tally to nine for the season.

Thomas has made two first-team starts this year and two appearances from the bench, scoring in the 4-3 win against Cheltenham.

"I've got no complaints because the lads who are in front of me are doing so well," added the 24-year-old Swansea-born player.

"This season has been a disappointment for me personally so far because just like everybody else, I want to be playing in the first team.

"'It's just a question of biding my time and trying to keep my sharpness up so that when an opportunity comes I can take it.

"It's a long season. People do pick up knocks and niggles and I'm sure my chance will come."

Swansea City boss Brian Flynn is among a host of Welsh international stars past and present who is to be given a special gold cap. The Football Association of Wales has decided to make the special presentation to all 22 players who have made 50 or more appearances for their country.

Half of those who will be honoured have Swansea connections - Dean Saunders, Cliff Jones, John Mahoney, Leighton James, Leighton Phillips, Peter Nicholas, Andy Melville, Terry Yorath, Dai Davies and the late Ivor Allchurch - whose cap will be presented to wife Esme - as well as Flynn.

The other half-centurions are Mark Hughes, Gary Speed, Mark Pembridge, Mickey Thomas, Kevin Ratcliffe, Rod Thomas, David Phillips, Neville Southall, Ian Rush, Joey Jones and Barry Horne.

The caps will carry the player's name, the number of appearances they made and the dates of their first and last international games.

Some of the presentations will be made at the Millennium Stadium before the clash with Serbia-Montenegro on October 11, others ahead of the home leg of Wales's Euro 2004 play-off in November - assuming, as expected, Hughes's side finish behind Italy in qualifying Group Nine.

''Hopefully the players and their families will look upon them as items to be cherished,'' an FAW spokesman said.

Flynn, who won 66 caps, added: ''It's a great honour for us all and it will be great to go out in front of a big crowd at the Millennium Stadium.

''I won't be at the Serbia game because we play Leyton Orient away on the same day and, though I hope Wales qualify for Portugal automatically, it will be nice to be presented with the gold cap before the play-off match.''

Swansea director of football Brian Flynn has expressed his sympathy for midfielder Karl Connolly, who faces up to 10 weeks out with a broken ankle.

Connolly, a summer signing from QPR, has been plagued by injury during his short Vetch Field career, and now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Flynn said: "Karl's ankle is in plaster. It's a desperate situation and I'm really disappointed for him."

The Swans chief was delighted to see skipper Jason Smith complete a 90-minute reserve-team run-out at Cheltenham on Wednesday after a two-and-a-half year battle against an ankle injury.

He added: "Jason's improving all the time which is great news for him and the club."

SWANSEA CITY midfielder Karl Connolly has revealed his frustration at learning that he could be out until December with a broken ankle.
The former Wrexham and Queens Park Rangers man was struck down with the ankle problem in the closing stages of the Swans' 2-0 home victory over Huddersfield Town last Saturday.

The injury means he will be sidelined for up to 10 weeks and the news will come as a selection blow to Vetch Field boss Brian Flynn.

Luckless Connolly admits he is struggling to come to terms with his third major injury problem in the space of a year, having previously overcome foot and calf muscle problems.

"I just can't believe what's happening to me at the moment - I must have walked under quite a few ladders," Connolly told The Western Mail.

"I'm having a miserable time. I haven't had too many injuries throughout my career, but in the last year I have had three.

"It's so frustrating. I'm keen to prove myself to the fans after being given a contract at Swansea, but I'm not getting the chance to do that."

MANSFIELD TOWN are to be charged by The Football Association following a brawl with Swansea City at the Vetch Field in August.
Stags boss Keith Curle says that the club have received notification from The FA that they are to be charged with violent behaviour that led to a mass brawl with The Swans.

"We have received a letter from the FA informing us that we are to be charged with violent, threatening and provocative behaviour which led to the twenty one man melee at Swansea," Curle told the club website.

"We have been given the opportunity to request a personal hearing at the FA where we will be able to put our case forward and highlight areas of the video that have possibly been overlooked.

"I will be speaking to the chairman this week to see where he stands on the matter, and we have until October 7 to make our case known."

ALLEGATIONS of dithering and lack of vision over £180m plans to make Swansea the shopping capital of South- West Wales have been refuted.

The leader of Swansea City and County Council, Lawrence Bailey, has defended the authority, saying the much-delayed modern retail scheme is back on track.

Castle Quays, to be built around the remains of the mediaeval castle in the city centre, is designed to secure Swansea's status as the area's top shopping destination.

The plan is to replace the office blocks and shops that mushroomed in the rebuilding after the World War II blitz with cafes, restaurants, bars and stores fit for the 21st Century. The idea was first put forward more than a decade ago.

The secretary of Plaid Cymru's Gower branch, Meic Haines, has claimed that the Labour-run council's dithering over Castle Square has shown that developments in Swansea are not linked to any strategy.

He said council plans for redeveloping the city centre were foisted on the authority by profit-hungry developers and lacked any clear vision.

The local authority was hit hard when major financier MEPC Investments decided to put its money elsewhere after being involved in planning the scheme for many years.

Arguments over the scheme's look have also trundled on.

Swansea's civic society was an outspoken critic of earlier plans to create a shopping centre closed to the public at night, believing the move would have killed off the city's vitality after shopping hours.

Now, however, Mr Bailey says Castle Quays is very much back on track after archaeological searches have found no reason to hold up the development.

The next phase is the acquisition of land. Mr Bailey says he believes it will cost the authority about £30m to secure properties in the development envelope.

"We are pressing ahead with it stage by stage," he said.

Mr Bailey said the attack by Meic Haines could backfire.

"With the general election coming up we will look forward to seeing Plaid Cymru's vision for Swansea," he said. "I wonder what the party has in store for us?"

Mr Bailey called Mr Haines's attack quite ironic in a week when a multi-millionpound road linking Swansea Vale business park to the M4 was opened and the old Morfa Stadium was demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound replacement.

"At the same time I unveiled plans for development in Swansea over the next 15 years to the Institute of Welsh Affairs," he said. "That is hardly the type of city that is going nowhere."

Resurgent Swansea made it five home wins out of five with a 2-0 win over nine-man Huddersfield.

Striker Lee Trundle was again on the scoresheet to set up the victory - hitting his ninth goal of an astonishingly productive season.

Home keeper Roger Freestone was called into early action when he parried Jonathan Stead's powerful angled shot from the edge of the area.

And the visitors missed a golden chance to open the scoring when Stead's strike partner Jon Newby shot over from close range.

But with young midfielder Leon Britton stamping his influence on the game, it was Swansea who always looked the more likely to score.

And the goal the home crowd demanded duly arrived when Trundle jubilantly slammed a Mark Wilson pass into the top corner of the net.

Midfielder Kevin Nugent then went close to doubling Swansea's lead before half-time from a Bradley Maylett centre.

Any hopes Huddersfield had of clawing their way back into the game were dashed when defender Paul Scott was given his marching orders just minutes after the re-start for his second bookable offence.

Huddersfield favourite Andy Booth had two opportunities to steal an unlikely equaliser.

But Trundle, Britton and the impressive Andy Robinson all threatened to extend Swansea's lead before Nugent finally wrapped things up from Trundle's pass.

And Huddersfield`s misery was complete when Ian Hughes was sent off for violent conduct just before the final whistle.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn celebrated his first anniversary at the Vetch yesterday and declared, "It has been an eventful year!"

Flynn took control of the Swans on September 19 last year - the day after the club plunged to the bottom of the Football League for the first time in its 90-year history with a 1-0 reverse at Boston.

The former Wrexham manager replaced ex-Swans skipper Nick Cusack in the Vetch Field hot-seat after a torrid run that had the club heading towards the League trapdoor.

But, in the space of 12 months, Flynn and his No 2 Kevin Reeves have transformed the Swans from a side anchored at the foot of the Division Three to a free-scoring outfit proudly perched at the top.

Flynn, who is hoping his side can maintain their 100 per cent home record against Huddersfield today, told The Western Mail, "It has been an eventful year to say the least.

"I have to say it has gone very quickly. It was a risk agreeing to take over Swansea because the club was in big trouble at the time.

"Kevin and I put our reputations on the line by accepting the job. Sometimes you have to do that.

"We knew the potential of this club and we knew it was ambitious. What has happened this season has vindicated our decision to come here."

The Swans avoided the dreaded drop into the Conference on the last day of last season with an emotional 4-2 win over Hull at the Vetch.

Four months on and his charges are sitting on the summit of the Third Division after winning five of their first eight games.

Along with Mansfield, they are the leading scorers in the Football League with 20 with 14 of those goals coming at Fortress Vetch.

"The club has really moved forward quite a lot in the last year," added Flynn.

"Work has commenced at our new stadium in Morfa. We can see the light there.

"And the playing squad has dramatically improved."

Flynn managed to convince quality players like Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton, Lee Trundle and Brad Maylett to come to South Wales.

And another plus is the way youngsters such as Richard Duffy and Stuart Jones have performed during the Swans' recent injury crisis.

"Leon Britton was a big singing for us, so too was Lee Trundle, Roberto Martinez and Brad Maylett," said Flynn, born just a few miles away at Port Talbot.

"How did I manage to sign those players? That's my little secret," he smiled. "Let's just say I used gentle persuasion.

"We have built a squad here very quickly. Usually it takes years to build the squad you want, but Kevin and I have done it in months. We are more than happy with what we have got.

He went on, "I know people are talking about the likes of Leon, Roberto and Lee, but look at Kevin Nugent.

"At the moment he is playing as well as he has done for a number of years.

"And James Thomas, who was the hero last season with his hat-trick against Hull, can't wait to be unleashed. You can see that in training.

"We are planning ahead here. When I first came to the club there was only one player - Andrew Mumford - who was on a two-year contract.

"That's not planning ahead. That's not looking forward. But I can tell you we are planning for this season, next season and beyond. You've got to do that.

"A club needs stability and continuity. I know we were bottom of the table a year ago but, to be fair to the board, they had already laid down plans for this club then."

Added the former Burnley and Leeds midfielder, "Kevin and I knew what to expect when we came here.

"It's not nice having to go through what this team went through last season but we came through it OK in the end.

"During pre-season with my players I told them that they had done well in the last 20 games of the 2002-03 campaign.

"They won eight, drew seven and lost five and that is top-six material.

"Staying up in May was massive. That was the key to everything. If we went down then I wouldn't be at this football club now.

"We fought one of the toughest relegation scraps in the Third Division for years. We would win a game but then find we were still in trouble.

"The problem was that the other sides around us were also managing to win games. Exeter, who went down in the end, put together a decent run at the very end."

Flynn has recently endured the "worst injury crisis of my managerial career." Martinez, Thomas, Lenny Johnrose, Karl Connolly and Leon Hylton have been some of the names on the casualty list.

But now the bodies are returning to work. Johnrose came on as a substitute in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Macclesfield, while Thomas, Connolly and Kieron Durkan were all unused substitutes.

"Roberto is also a couple of weeks away from coming back and Jason Smith is also progressing well. He, too, is only weeks away," said Flynn.

"Leon Hylton, Stuart Jones, Lee Jenkins and Jonathan Coates are only a week away or so away from coming back.

"I'm going to have a lovely selection problem soon."

SWANSEA CITY moved clear at the head of Division Three after a hard-fought 2-0 home victory over Huddersfield Town.
Prolific striker Lee Trundle was once again on the scoresheet for the Welshman, poaching his ninth goal of the season after 33 minutes.

The visitors battled gamely to get back into the contest, but veteran Kevin Nugent ensured The Swans took all three points by adding a second with six minutes remaining.

Big-spending Hull took advantage of Oxford's 2-0 reverse at Doncaster - a game settled by strikes in either half from Tim Ryan and Paul Green - to leapfrog into second.

Peter Taylor's men triumphed at mid-table Rochdale after two goals in four second half minutes.

Stuart Green opened the scoring for The Tigers after 63 minutes, and former Blackburn Rovers hit-man Ben Burgess settled matters shortly afterwards.

Yeovil continued their excellent recent form by recording their fifth win on the bounce.

The Glovers recorded a narrow 1-0 away victory at high-flying Mansfield, with Kirk Jackson's strike three minutes before the interval proving decisive.

York City climbed up to fourth spot following their home victory over Bristol Rovers.

All the goals at Bootham Crescent arrived in an action-packed first half. Lee Bullock edged the hosts ahead just before the quarter hour mark, and after Junior Agogo had tied matters up, Aaron Wilford netted what proved to be the winner 11 minutes before the break.

Dave Kitson was the hero for Cambridge United, as a goal in each half from the lanky hit-man set up his side for a comfortable 3-0 victory at Bobby Gould's Cheltenham Town, Lloyd Opara added a late third.

Darlington twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils at Torquay United.

Craig Liddle cancelled out Steve Woods' early opener for The Gulls, and after David Graham had restored the hosts' lead, Ian Clark popped up 17 minutes from time to ensure honours ended even.

Lincoln City came from behind to emerge victorious at Kidderminster, Lloyd Dyer put The Harriers ahead on 11 minutes but efforts from Marcus Richardson (32) and Richard Butler (43) were enough for The Red Imps.

Northampton Town endured a frustrating afternoon against Macclesfield Town as the game ended goalless at the Sixfields Stadium.

Boston United recorded just their second win of the season courtesy of a lone strike from former York City forward Peter Duffield against Bury.

Leyton Orient left it very late to take something from their home clash with Scunthorpe as Jabo Ibehre popped up in injury time to equalise Richard Kell's first half opener and relieve some of the pressure on Paul Brush.

The battle of the bottom two ended all square as Carlisle fought back from two down to deny Southend United.

The Shrimpers exploded into life midway through the first period with two goals inside a minute from David McSweeney and Leon Constantine.

However, Carlisle responded well in the second half, and strikes from Kevin Henderson and Richie Foran ensured The Cumbrians left Roots Hall with a point.