Goal hero Jason Price has set his sights on a top spot Christmas present.

Price, whose fourth goal of the season extended Swansea's unbeaten run to six games, reckons Swansea City must look to be sitting proudly at the top of the tree come Christmas in preparation for a succesful promotion run-in.

"That's another three points in the bag," beamed Price. "By Christmas we'll hopefully be top of the league.

"That's what we've got to aim for and let the other clubs chase us for a change.

"Lincoln gave us a tough game, especially in the last 15 minutes when they threw everything at us.

"‘They chucked six strikers forward in the end, but we weathered the storm well.

"They've got some big lads and we had to be up for the game to come out on top.''

SWANSEA CITY manager John Hollins has warned his players: Life gets harder from now on.

Hollins, whose side take on Southend today, reckons this week's Worthington Cup triumph over Millwall will boost their reputation as a tough side to beat and could force teams to shut up shop at Vetch Field.

"We are quickly getting a reputation, especially after the season we had last year by beating West Ham," said Hollins, whose side protect a four-game unbeaten run. "It puts teams on red alert when they come here."

It is a view backed up by his assistant and former Welsh international Alan Curtis, who said: "Teams will come to the Vetch, dig in and get behind the ball.

"While it's a compliment to us, it means it's going to be a lot harder for us to break them down. Last season we drew too many home games which prevented us clinching automatic promotion. We've got to put that right, starting with Southend."

The last time Swansea met Southend in South Wales it nearly turned into a riot after the Shrimpers had three sent off in a 3-1 defeat.

Swansea will be looking for maximum points from the clash before they travel to Lincoln on Monday. Swansea's game with Cheltenham Town next Saturday has been postponed at the request of the Football League.

Swansea have Jason Price and Stuart Roberts in the Wales Under-21 side due to travel to Belarus in midweek.

Proposals for a 5,000-seat indoor concert arena are being included in the multi-million pound Morfa Stadium redevelopment.

Swansea Council policy and resources committee agreed yesterday to market the new site for the city's rugby and football clubs, which will include the possibility of using the stadium for an arena or building one on land nearby.

Council chief executive Vivienne Sugar said further discussions are being held with Silver Shield, owners of Swansea City, and the rugby club about the latest plans.

She said it was important the site was marketed quickly and developers would be asked if the arena could be included in the scheme.

"We are preparing the marketing brief for the site to move this forward as quickly as we can. Our main objective is to get the stadium built and the arena could fit in with that," she said.

Lord Mayor Bob Lloyd hoped it was possible for another developer not involved with the stadium redevelopment to build the arena.

He said: "What if a developer wants to build an arena and doesn't want to get involved with anything else?"

After the meeting Swansea Council leisure committee chairman Robert Francis Davies said the stadium could double as an arena during the evening after the rugby and football matches were completed or be built next to it.

TONY BIRD rounded off a battling Swansea display with a last-gasp penalty to clinch a place in the second round of the Worthington Cup.

Substitute Bird made no mistake from the spot after Millwall keeper Tony Warner had upended Jason Price in the last seconds of injury time. Swansea had spent most of the second half under siege after Richard Sadlier reduced their overall lead to a single goal.

Swansea boss John Hollins made four changes to the line-up that won at Macclesfield on Saturday and his side made a bright start with Steve Watkin's deflected shot forcing Warner into an eighth-minute save.

Watkin found himself in the thick of the action as he curled in a far post cross which the diving Julian Alsop headed just wide of the upright. But Second Division Millwall slowly built up steam and after 29 minutes they were right back in the tie.

Lucas Neill chipped a perfect pass over the head of Matthew Bound and Sadlier turned to fire a shot past keeper Roger Freestone and in off the post.

The Lions had their tails up now and Bound was forced into an acrobatic clearance under pressure from Neil Harris. Freestone was called into action minutes later and produced a magnificent save to keep out a Harris shot that was curling into the bottom corner.

Millwall were enjoying their best spell as the half came to a close, with Harris trying his luck again only for Freestone to be perfectly placed to gather easily. The Lions should have levelled the tie on the stroke of half time when Paul Shaw missed a golden opportunity. Swansea had hero Freestone to thank for keeping them ahead on the hour when Millwall won a penalty after Cahill was held down by skipper Nick Cusack.

But, as in the first leg at Vetch Field, Freestone pulled off a magnificent save to deny Harris for a second time.

Swansea City winger Richie Appleby has delivered a double message to manager John Hollins on the eve of tomorrow's Worthington Cup clash at Millwall: "I'm good enough, play me."

Appleby came off the substitutes' bench at Macclesfield on Saturday to score both goals in Swansea's 2-1 win and press Hollins for a run in the starting line-up.

"Let's get one thing straight," said Appleby. "I don't want to be associated as a super sub.

"I want to be playing from the start and that's why I'm not really happy at the moment, but I know the manager doesn't want players to be content to be sub and it would be wrong if any player was happy sitting on the sidelines.

"The manager knows what I can do and it's his choice to pick his best players. If he thinks I'm not performing then he's entitled to leave me on the bench, but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

"I'm glad to come on and score a couple of goals to get the team higher, but I think I am good enough to play from the start.

"I need a run of six or 10 games to get the best out of me."

When quizzed how long he would be happy to sit on the bench before getting itchy feet, Appleby replied: "Only time will tell."

It brought a sharp response from Hollins who was delighted with his first away win of the season.

"Richie hasn't said anything to me about not being happy," said the Swansea manager. "He might have said something to you, but not to me.

"He is a talented player and it took something special to set us on our way against Macclesfield. In fact, he produced two bits of magic.

"I'm very pleased for him because he's worked extremely hard. But with five players on the bench, this is a squad game now."