KENNY JACKETT did a good job of hiding his frustration after he saw Swansea's automatic promotion bid stall badly across the Severn Bridge.
The Swans surrendered a vital three points to Bristol Rovers in their promotion chase and saw midfielder Andy Robinson sent off for a head-butt towards the end of the first half of a bad-tempered clash.

It was Robinson's second red card of the season for the same offence but he can count himself unlucky after Rovers' midfielder Ryan Williams made a meal of an innocuous clash.

Swansea now cannot afford a slip as the promotion race goes down to the wire and the dream of playing in Division One at the new Morfa Stadium is right in the melting pot.

Jackett put a brave face on following his side's display and admitted the Swans now need to win the last two games of the campaign against Shrewsbury and Bury to clinch automatic promotion.

But the Vetch supremo admitted he will be taking a long hard look at what action to take against Robinson, who will miss the rest of the season.

"I thought it was a harsh decision," said Jackett. "I have had a look at it again and I don't think either player followed through with their heads.

"It was one of those incidents when both of them could have gone or neither of them. But I am disappointed with Andy. They were eyeball-to-eyeball but nobody followed through with their head.

"Andy didn't need to do that, he has come from a long way to get to the player and he has to learn not to put himself in that situation.

"He feels harshly done by and says he didn't follow through and he is really upset by it. I am just disappointed with him and people will target him. They know they can wind him up and he is the only one who can break that cycle."

Jackett's opposite number Ian Atkins claimed he hadn't witnessed the clash between Robinson and Williams

"I didn't see it," he said. "My head was turned at the time so I cannot comment on it. Until I see the incident, I won't comment."

But Atkins still believes Jackett's side are good enough for promotion from the division and what's more, he personally wants to see them move up a level.

"Swansea can still go up," said Atkins. "But we are a difficult side when we are in that kind of mood. On our day we can beat anybody.

"They are still a good side and I would love them to go up just to see them out of the way.

"They have a new stadium and I wish them well. I hope they get in the top three."

For Atkins, this victory was sweet revenge following the first meeting between the sides when a disputed penalty, which had to be taken twice, was the difference at the Vetch back in November.

Rovers really bullied the Swans and tore into them from the first whistle and didn't let them settle for a moment.

And that aggressive style knocked the visitors off their stride. The Swans never came to terms with it and before they knew where they were, Jackett's men were 2-0 down and a man down at half-time. Goalkeeper Willy Gueret was at the centre of a defensive mix-up after he failed to clear his lines and only a poor finish by Rovers' striker Agogo saved his blushes.

That seemed to give the home side the impetus they needed. They started to win the 50-50 challenges and the Swans appeared happy to let them.

But when it came, Rovers' opening goal was a comedy of errors with the visitors unable to clear their lines twice. The second clearance by Lee Thorpe sliced into the path of Richard Walker who made no mistake from short range.

The Swans were 1-0 down and only had themselves to blame and ten minutes later they were on the wrong end of 2-0 when the impressive Agogo headed Rovers further ahead from a John Bath cross from the right. Rovers had decided that they could rough up the Swansea side and the game then exploded into life with referee Mark Cowburn's decision to send off Robinson for a head-butt on Rovers' debutant Williams on 44 minutes.

Robinson certainly made a movement with his head but Williams made a right meal of it and it looked like the referee had fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the book.

But the Swans were in dire straights and were still fuming at the half-time whistle, with Williams jostled as he headed to the dressing room for the break.

Jackett altered things for the second half and the Swans did pose more of a threat than they had in the first half.

The introduction of Paul Connor off the bench gave Lee Trundle, who had a quiet game by his standards, a foil in attack. Connor's first act after joining the action was to get booked for a foot-high challenge on Rovers' skipper James Hunt in another incident that threatened to boil over. Izzy Iriekpen did produce one chance of note for the visitors when his powerful header was pushed on to the bar by Rovers' keeper Ryan Clarke.

And Connor should have done better after he combined well with Trundle on the edge of the area but his shot flew past the Rovers' left-hand post. The home side soaked up the pressure as the Swans went searching for a goal but saw skipper Hunt sent off for a petulant kick at Iriekpen in the dying moment. However, this was a game Jackett would rather forget and he knows his sides need two wins out of two to avoid the play-offs.

AS the Vetch Field played host to its last ever floodlit league match, Swansea City last night made sure the lights did not go out on their automatic promotion challenge.

It was tense, it was tight but, in the end, it was the result Swansea needed to return to the top three and put the pressure back on their promotion rivals.

And the hero on this occasion? No, not top scorer Lee Trundle but Kris O'Leary, the midfielder surprising himself and sending the bumper 10,602 crowd into raptures with only his second goal of the season just before half-time.

It was a tempestuous match which Swansea made hard work of, but Kenny Jackett's side held on by virtue of some dogged, often desperate, defending and the generosity of referee Kevin Friend in awarding them one or two dubious set-pieces that ruffled Oxford.

United's cause wasn't helped by the somewhat harsh second-half dismissal of defender Mateo Corbo for two bookable offences, both on Trundle. But the nature of the win, of course, counts for little. What matters most is Swansea, if only temporarily, replaced Scunthorpe in League Two's third automatic promotion place.

The Swans drew level on points with second-placed Southend, who did everyone else at the top a favour by slumping to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient.

Jackett's men had gone into the match having calculated they'd probably need to win at least three of their last four games to secure automatic promotion.

So it's a case of one down and two to go, though Swansea will feel confident of winning all their remaining matches with a run-in that includes trips to Bristol Rovers and Bury and a final Vetch date against Shrewsbury.

Swansea were unchanged from the side that suffered a cruel 1-0 defeat at Lincoln last weekend courtesy of Garry Monk's freak 92nd-minute own goal, midfielder Leon Britton returning to the bench after missing the Sincil Bank trip through injury.

As for Oxford, there never seems to be a dull moment at the Kassam Stadium and the latest incumbent of the managerial hotseat was missing last night... because he does not have a work permit to continue working in Britain.

It was a shame because even Argentinian Ramon Diaz, the surprise choice to take charge of the Us earlier this season, might have felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing up with the bumper Vetch crowd in full roof-raising voice.

Trundle raised the fans' expectations when he shaped up to take a sixth-minute free-kick 25 yards out and in the kind of position he's often tucked them away. Not this time, though, Swansea's top scorer ballooning his effort into the terrace behind the goal.

Twelve minutes later and that most unlikely of scorers, O'Leary, came close to celebrating his second goal of the season with a wicked 25-yard half-volley that had Oxford keeper Chris Tardif scrambling to his left.

Typical of these night games, some tasty tackles soon went flying in as Oxford's Barry Quinn and David Mackay found their way into referee Friend's notebook for some unfriendly challenges on Trundle and Adrian Forbes.

You sensed a set-piece might provide the key to Swansea unlocking the Oxford defence and that was almost the case in the 34th minute when Andy Robinson squared a 30-yard free-kick to Sam Ricketts and the Wales international produced a venomous drive that Tardiff had to push over the bar with both hands.

Just a minute before half-time, though, and Tardif was beaten. Robinson, at the centre of all Swansea's best moves, whipped in a cross from the right and O'Leary's excellent first touch not only got the ball under control but also took him past the defender. All the midfielder had to do then was fire right-footed past Tardif.

Cue wild celebrations by O'Leary and team-mates on the pitch, all the occupants of the Swansea dug-out and the thousands of anxious supporters around the ground.

Knowing a second goal would make things more comfortable, Swansea started the second half on the front foot and thought they'd made it 2-0 on 51 minutes when Robinson crossed from the left, the rampaging Kevin Austin touched it on Forbes bundled the ball into the net. But the offside flag had been raised and the pursuit for a second goal went on.

The noise inside the Vetch, already loud enough to burst the eardrums, intensified further on 70 minutes when Corbo obstructed Trundle, though the United defender's crime hardly warranted a second yellow card of the evening and the red one that had to follow.

Swansea again found the back of the net from the resulting free-kick, Izzy Iriekpen stabbing the ball home, but again it was ruled out, this time for a foul on Tardif.

A second goal would have eased the nerves and helped the Swans' goal difference in the process, but it was not to be.

Vetch Field plays host to its final floodlit game tonight with Lee Trundle telling Swansea City fans: "You can roar us home." Kenny Jackett's men welcome Oxford United (7.45) knowing victory is close to essential if they are to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.

And with the biggest Vetch crowd of the season expected, Trundle has urged Swansea's followers to crank up the volume.

''The fact that this is the last ever night game at the Vetch makes it something special,'' said the 23-goal top-scorer, ''and I'm sure the fans will respond to that.

''There's always something different about night games. The crowd always seem to be up for it and we usually play well.

''Hopefully, the same thing will happen tonight because this is a massive game for us.''

Swansea's players were booed off by sections of the North Bank when they went in level at half-time with Cambridge in their last home game.

Trundle added: ''We don't want people on our backs if it doesn't go our way right from the start.

''We ended up beating Cambridge 3-0 and the fans were singing 'easy, easy' which just shows that they shouldn't have been booing.

''We need everyone - the players, the manager, the staff and the fans - pulling in the same direction between now and the end of the season.

''If things aren't going well, our fans can make the difference.''

Sam Ricketts (groin and stomach) and Leon Britton (ankle) both returned to training yesterday to give Jackett a near fully-fit squad to choose from this evening.

Mid-table Oxford are close to full strength, too, though oddly, they are expected to rest 14-goal top-scorer Tommy Mooney.

They will be without their manager, Ramon Diaz, because he has been banished to his native Argentina because of work-permit problems.

And his No. 2, the Frenchman Jean-Marc Goiran, is not expected at the Vetch because he was due to attend Prince Rainier of Monaco's funeral today.

These are strange times at the Kassam Stadium.

Jackett is keen to put the focus on his team, however, as they aim to bounce back from last weekend's heartbreaker at Lincoln.

''This is another massive game for us,'' the Swansea boss said.

''We can all see the carrot of promotion and now is the time to do something about it.

''We must win tonight to get back into the top three and therefore put the pressure on the teams playing tomorrow.''

For all the confusion surrounding the club, Oxford arrive having lost only one of their last seven matches, and despite the absentees, they should have a five-strong posse of Argentines guiding them from the dugout, led by head coach Horacio Rodriguez.

''Our attitude and approach must be exactly right,'' Jackett warned. ''The atmosphere will be special, but it's up to my players to produce the quality which will lift the passion levels even further."

From revelation to tribulation, Andy Robinson has been through the emotional mangle since his late entrance to professional football. And there are no prizes for guessing which of his two Swansea City seasons he has enjoyed more.

In 2003-4, Robinson the zero from the West Cheshire League graduated to Robinson the hero, player of the year after a scintillating start to life at Vetch Field.

A few weeks before the curtain falls on 2004-05, and the former Cammell Lairds player can reflect on a campaign where he has had to handle not hitting the highs quite so regularly as well as a couple of painful lows.

''Last year,'' Robinson recalls, ''everything seemed to turn to gold for me.

''This year things have been a bit more difficult.

''I think last season was probably a one-off really. This year I have learned a lot more both on and off the pitch.''

This campaign has not been all doom and gloom for Robinson. Far from it.

Contributor of eight goals and numerous assists, the 25-year-old remains popular with Swansea's fans and, crucially, his manager.

But a stupid red card which contributed to one of the blackest days of Kenny Jackett's reign at Shrewsbury in November still rankles, while the much-publicised brush with a Kingsway bouncer does not inspire feelings of pride.

''I've only been in the professional game for two years,'' Robinson points out.

''Players who were trainees at 16 or 17 learn a lot as they're coming through the ranks.

''There have been some ups and downs for me along the way but I feel I've learned a lot more about professional football as a result.''

On the pitch, Robinson's cause has not been aided by Jackett's squad strengthening.

First Marc Goodfellow arrived on loan, then Kevin McLeod signed permanently from Queens Park Rangers.

Both are natural left-wingers, while Robinson is capable of playing anywhere across midfield.

And yet he has been used almost exclusively on the left flank.

''The gaffer's tried to change things round so sometimes I haven't been starting,'' the gifted Scouser says.

''Obviously, if you're not playing you're not going to be able to impress.

''This season's been more difficult in certain areas of my game, but I have tried to perform whenever I've got a chance and hopefully I've made the difference a couple of times when it's mattered.

''I'm still loving being part of a club that's on the up and believe I would be able to do it in the next division.

''What would really make me happy is if we can get promoted to League One.''

Inevitably, the focus switches to what looks increasingly like being a gripping end to the Vetch's final season.

With Oxford, tonight, and Shrewsbury still to visit these parts and trips to Bristol Rovers and Bury all that remains, Swansea may even require a maximum 12 points to hit the top three.

Just one at Lincoln last weekend would have been helpful, but Garry Monk's injury-time own goal denied Jackett's team that.

While the unfortunate Monk has shouldered most of the blame, Robinson admits: ''I probably feel more sick than anyone else about that because I gave the ball away (in the build-up to the goal) when I really should hooked it over my shoulder.

''That was devastating because we deserved at least a point, but all we can do now is move on and get ourselves up for Oxford.''

When, Robinson suggests, the indications are that Swansea can record the first of the wins they need against an Oxford side with little left to compete for this term.

''Performance-wise our last five games have been good,'' he goes on.

''If we can keep that going then I think we will pick up enough points to go up.

''We have a decent-looking run-in and the players are all well aware of how massive these four games are.

''Hopefully,'' he adds, ''I can give the lads something back tonight after what happened last Saturday.''

For all Robinson's problems this season, not too many Swansea followers would bet against that.

Swansea City will need to tread carefully when they bid to take the next step towards League One at Bristol Rovers next weekend. For the Memorial Stadium pitch is perhaps the most treacherous in the Football League just now.

Described by one observer as resembling a crumbly egg carton last weekend, the surface played a major role in Rovers' 3-0 cruise past Rushden & Diamonds.

Even that well-known friend of Swansea in the dugout, Ian Atkins, admitted as much.

"The pitch was terrible," he conceded.

"But I think we adapted to it a lot better than they did and I thought it was an excellent performance by us."

The Atkins analysis of one of his team's most handsome victories of the campaign does not paint the prettiest picture.

"Sometimes you have to play according to the pitch," added the former Oxford boss, well-known for his appreciation of the no-nonsense approach to lower-league football.

"Sometimes you have to go up, back and through and sometimes rather than just playing long balls up and not getting there, you have to get them to the right parts of the pitch and make an effort to get there."

Confused? Suffice to say that next Saturday's local derby may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing contest witnessed in League Two this season.

"We got throws, free-kicks and flick-ons in the right areas," added Atkins, revealing more secrets of the Rushden success.

"It's difficult to get the ball down and move it sideways on that pitch, but we were clever.

"Probably for the first time we played the pitch the way it should be played."

And so, as Kenny Jackett predicted this week, Swansea must ready themselves for a "scrap".

Though Rovers' season may be all but over - they sat a disappointing 16th in the table this morning - Atkins will certainly be up for a fight.

Opting somewhat surprisingly to give his verdict on the division's promotion picture a couple of weeks ago, he claimed Scunthorpe and Southend would definitely go up while Swansea and Yeovil would have to battle it out for third place.

He questioned the "bottle" of Yeovil, suggesting he would rather Swansea escaped the Football League's bottom tier.

But he warned that Jackett's men would be beaten on April 23.

Certainly, Rovers welcome Swansea in decent form, having lost only once in eight matches before this afternoon's trip to Chester City.

And their former Mansfield midfielder Craig Disley insists there is still motivation in the squad heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

"It's been a disappointing season for us," he said, "but we're all looking forward now and trying to get ourselves right for next year.

"If we can continue our recent form in the last few matches and take it into next season then I think we'll be confident."

AS the lights get ready to go out on league football at the Vetch, Swans skipper Roberto Martinez has called on his team-mates to make the most of the atmospheric advantage the ground gives them.

Tonight's visit by Oxford to face Kenny Jackett's promotion chasers marks the final time league football will be played under floodlights at the ground.

And, after agreeing with most supporters' notion that the noise level goes up a notch come midweek games, Martinez has urged his fellow Swans to make it count.

"As a player you definitely feel it," said Martinez. "There is something different there than on a Saturday, an almost electric atmosphere. Somehow it makes you feel as if you are in control of the game, whoever the opposition, something magical .

"The North Bank on a night game is special and you can't put your finger on why, but the support, the noise and the feeling gives you a platform to express yourself and go on knowing you can produce the goods to win for them and for Swansea City.

"Look at the games this season where there's been some fantastic entertainment, quality football and, most importantly, the results to go with it.

"And we must make sure the same happens against Oxford and make the most of the advantage it brings us."

In the 45 years of floodlit football, the atmosphere Martinez speaks of has sparked some memorable victories and moments for the club, while this season has seen important wins over Mansfield and Boston, victories over Orient and Darlington that put the team top and last month's impressive win over Macclesfield.

"The opposition probably find it a lot harder here because of the atmosphere," added the Spaniard. "Other players have told me so and I've felt it myself when I was with Wigan. The Saturday afternoon game I played here was a lot different to the Tuesday game and I remember it was only in the second half that we managed to find our feet.

"The atmosphere from the crowd was so intense we just didn't know what was going on. It's something you cannot explain, it's something about the ground and something we must try and use to our advantage."

But no-one needs reminding that the farewells to the floodlights can be shelved should Swansea not pick up the required points from the remaining four games of the campaign. With up to six teams still in the shake-up for League One football next year, dropped points at this stage is not an option any one of the expected full-house tonight will take with the prospect of play-offs looming large.

But, playing a day earlier than most of their promotion rivals, a win over Ramon Diaz's side would put Swansea back into the top three and the onus back on Yeovil, Southend, Scunthope, Macclesfield and even Lincoln.

Anything less and the tension will hit new levels, and after some sections of the Vetch crowd let their frustrations known recently, Martinez has stressed only a show of unity will help tonight.

"Every time you're out of the top three at this stage of the season adds to the anxiety," he said. "It's happened to us, but now we have the chance to put the pressure on someone else.

"We've seen the way the league is going and with 12 points still left to play for it's important no-one gets too up or too down whatever happens. A party feeling or a depressed one tonight will be a wrong feeling because it's only a first step of four.

"We've all felt a bit of tension and you can understand it. We want success just as much as the fans and it can bring anxiety but the games are 90 minutes long and if we are strong towards the end we can win it there.

"If the crowd get behind us from the start to the last second then it spurs us on and makes it harder for them. We must make sure the crowd is an advantage to us and not a disadvantage."

But Swansea must do more than sing their way to success tonight, against an Oxford side who have flattered to deceive for most of this term. One boost for Swansea comes with the news top scorer Tommy Mooney is being rested.

Swansea (Probable): Gueret; Ricketts, Monk, Iriekpen, Austin; Robinson, O'Leary, Martinez (Cpt), McLeod; Trundle, Connor. Subs (From): Murphy, Gurney, Tate, Forbes, Bean, Thorpe.

Player to watch - Lee Trundle: The star striker still has one eye on the top scorers' prize and boy how could Kenny Jackett do with a goal-hungry Trundle tonight.

Oxford (Probable): Tardif; Mackay, Wanless, Corbo, Robinson; Diaz, Cominelli, Hackett, Quinn; Davies, Basham. Subs: Raponi, Karam, Cox, Molyneaux, Quinn, Bradbury.

Player to watch - Craig Davies: Has begun to make a name for himself at the Kassam Stadium and the former Man City youngster will be looking to add to his five-goal tally.

Referee: Andy Penn (West Midlands).

Kenny Jackett believes Swansea City may have to win all their remaining League Two matches to clinch automatic promotion. And the Swansea boss has warned that three victories is the minimum requirement from the four games that are left.

Swansea host Oxford tomorrow night before trips to Bristol Rovers and Bury sandwich the Vetch Field's final league game against Shrewsbury at the end of the month.

And after the unfortunate defeat at Lincoln last weekend, Jackett accepts his side have little margin for error as they bid for the top three.

''I think we need to win three or possibly all four games,'' he said. ''Ours has been the tightest division throughout the season and it looks like staying that way right until the end.

''There are twists and turns to come yet and I believe it's going to go right to the last day at Bury.''

Swansea's run-in sees them take on four clubs with little to play for, while Scunthorpe are also blessed with a less than daunting fixture list, but the top two, Southend and Yeovil, still have to play each other as well as Macclesfield and Lincoln respectively.

Macclesfield and Lincoln meet tomorrow, while the Imps also have testing meetings with Northampton and Darlington to come.

''Some of the other sides have each other to play so things could turn around a couple of more times yet,'' Jackett added. ''Generally things have changed dramatically with each weekend that's passed recently, and we have to make sure we turn it our way again over the next couple of days.

''I genuinely believe my players are capable of picking up the points they need.''

Swansea fans are being urged to turn up early tomorrow.

''We're sure our supporters will generate another fantastic atmosphere for what is the last floodlit game at the Vetch,'' said director David Morgan.

Seats are available with the official travel club for the trip to Bristol Rovers a week on Saturday, and can be booked at tomorrow's game or next week at the William Street ticket office.

Swansea take on Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup final after the Dragons won 2-1 at Bangor. The game will be played at the Vetch on May 11 unless Swansea are in the play-offs.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins reckons there wouldn't be cause for huge dismay if the club failed to achieve promotion. Can't see that line selling well on the North Bank.

Swansea have been bumping around in the league's basement division for too long. They came close to dropping into the Conference a couple of years ago, leaving it until the last day of the season before saving themselves.

The fans deserve better and it is important for the club for Kenny Jackett's side to win promotion.

Swansea are moving into a new stadium next season and supporters will flock there in greater numbers if the team are playing the likes of Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday than if they are hosting Barnet and Chester.

In fairness to Jenkins, he stresses that he would be more disappointed than anyone if the club fails to go up.

And his point that Swansea are getting things right off the field is a sound one.

But it would still be a massive let-down if, after being among the League Two pacesetters virtually all season, they now let the promotion prize slip through their grasp.

Swansea City's allocation of more than 5,000 tickets for the final-day away trip to Bury go on sale next week. From Monday full season-ticket holders will be entitled to two tickets each.

Supporters' trust members and 12-voucher season-ticket holders will be able to buy tickets from Wednesday and those remaining will go on general sale a week tomorrow.

Swansea have been given seats in the South and West Stands at Gigg Lane, priced £15 for adults, £8 students, £6 senior citizens and £5 juveniles. Twenty-six disabled spaces are available at £6. Cash and cheques only will be accepted at the William Street office to speed up sales, although supporters living outside the area can order tickets via the credit card line.

KENNY JACKETT has spelled out why Swansea City have to be a League One outfit next season insisting, "My players have to seize this moment!"
The Swans, cruelly beaten by a Garry Monk's 92nd-minute freak own goal in the 1-0 defeat at Lincoln last Saturday, receive Oxford United at the Vetch tomorrow evening in a must-min encounter.

Swansea, who slipped out of the top-three automatic promotion spots after the setback at Sincil Bank, are aiming to exert pressure on second-placed Southend, who entertain Leyton Orient at Roots Hall the same night.

Third-placed Scunthorpe - one point ahead of the Swans - trail leaders Yeovil by three points. And the Iron's four-match run-in is similar to Swansea's in that it only contains encounters with mid-table or struggling opponents.

Seemingly doomed Cambridge land at Glanford Park, as do Bristol Rovers. United also travel to Grimsby and Shrewsbury.

The Shrimpers, who lost for the first occasion in 18 league and cup matches when going down 2-0 to Wrexham in the LDV Vans Trophy Final in Cardiff last Sunday, visit Macclesfield, Oxford and Grimsby - receiving Yeovil after the O's.

But Jackett simply concentrates on extracting the eight points from away fixtures at Bristol Rovers - Saturday week - and Bury, in addition to the Vetch dates with the Shrews and the U's.

He said, "It's all about us focusing on the 80-point barrier that I believe should clinch us a position in the top three. I'm not thinking about play-offs at this stage.

"I want to see us go up automatically and that'll be my aim unless it becomes mathematically impossible for us to achieve."

Watford-born Jackett knows the stakes are high in a Swansea hotseat that has seen 14 managers fly through the club's ever-revolving doors since 1989.

It's not difficult to acknowledge the obvious financial attractions of League One - and the possible trips to Forest, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City.

Trumpeted Jackett, "This is the moment for Swansea to achieve higher-grade football and play more attractive opponents on a regular basis.

"We leave the Vetch Field for our new 20,000 all-seater stadium at the Morfa this July and everyone is excited about the prospect.

"You can talk about the greater commercial opportunities that will bring for the football club. Yes, I feel we will have much bigger home gates at our new venue - crowds of anything from 12,000 upwards if we're holding our own in the higher division.

"We'd be potentially only 12 months away from being a Championship club if promotion happens. People will come to the Morfa for the experience - I think this factor would last for at least two years.

"Reading showed the type of thing that happens when they quit their old Elm Park ground for the Madejski Stadium a few seasons ago - now that club are pushing for the Premiership.

"This is why promotion is so very important for the club. This is the right time to get real success for Swansea."

The Swans, the best-supported club in League Two, have already shown an impressive fan base. A following of around 4,000 travelled to Reading for an FA Cup third round tie in January and 1,300 tickets have already been snapped up for Swansea's clash at Bristol Rovers.

"When I came to the Swans from QPR it was a massive wrench for me," said Jackett, continuing, "I had a wonderful relationship with Ian Holloway who I respected very much.

"But I wanted to be a manager in my own right once more. I looked at Swansea and I knew of the potential in terms of its catchment area.

"It was very difficult for me to leave QPR. When Rangers clinched promotion to the Championship after a 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday last April, I had a call - all the players were singing my name. It was one of my most emotional moments in soccer so far."

Yet lifting the Swans out of the basement for the first time since 2001 is certain to match this for a man whose grandparents hail from Swansea.

Three points at Oxford's expense within 48 hours will bring the League One gates that much nearer. And Jackett said, "The Vetch is a very special place.

"Our fans have been magnificent. They have been our 12th man in home matches - now I'd ask them to turn up in numbers again and roar us on!"

PROMOTION might mean everything to Swansea City this season - but club chairman Huw Jenkins has urged fans not to be too upset if the club fails to achieve it.
The Swans' whole campaign has been built around the team securing League One football in time for their summer move to a plush new stadium at Morfa.

With Kenny Jackett's side having spent most of the season in or around the top three, the majority of Swans fans would be devastated if they fail to realise their big promotion dream.

But club chairman Jenkins argues that even if the nightmare scenario occurs - Swansea missing out on automatic promotion and then losing in the play-offs - there would be no need for an outbreak of depression.

"Let me stress that if we do miss out on promotion, I'll be more disappointed than anyone," said Jenkins.

"But I wouldn't feel deflated because I'd know that the club has still moved on.

"We've made progress on and off the pitch.

"If we do miss out this season, I don't think there would be cause for huge dismay.

"Whatever happens, there is still a bright future for this football club.

"We're approaching an exciting period in the club's history. We're preparing to move into a brand new stadium, having regained a lot of our credibility as a football club.

"As well as being better run off the pitch, the playing squad is improving all the time, our average crowd is going up and will go up again next year at the new stadium.

"So you've got to realise that we're getting stronger and stronger each year.

"People have got to realise we are doing something right at Swansea."

Whatever the picture painted by those in charge at the Vetch, however, it will be a bitter pill for fans to swallow if the season doesn't end with a promotion party.

Jackett's team have constantly fuelled high expectations by remaining either inside or in touch with the automatic promotion places throughout the season.

And, with Swansea just four points adrift of the League Two summit with four games to go, the most optimistic of Swans followers will even be holding out hope the club can repeat their Third Division championship success of 2000.

But Jenkins said, "Sometimes things don't always work out as you want them to - for whatever reason.

"You've seen how difficult this league can be and, obviously, there's only one team that can win the league title.

"The main thing is that we keep taking small steps each year and move forward.

"Don't forget it's only two years ago that we were fighting to avoid relegation from the Football League on the final day of the season.

"If we could at least get into the play-offs this season, we'll have still bettered last year's achievement of finishing 10th."

Plenty of positive thinking will be required over the next few days as Swansea attempt to reclaim their place in the top three with Oxford's Friday night visit to the Vetch.

The Swans are one point behind third-placed Scunthorpe after Saturday's crushing 1-0 defeat at Lincoln and, with promotion rivals Southend and Macclesfield each boasting a game in hand on the rest, nothing short of a win will do.

"As we get closer to the end of the season and to what we're trying to achieve, each home game becomes more important than the last," said Jenkins, who is anticipating another bumper crowd for the Vetch Field's penultimate league match.

"It looks as if the race for promotion will go right to the final day of the season.

"I'd be surprised if it doesn't.

"The pressure's going to be on for all of our remaining games, but it's a different, more enjoyable, kind of pressure than you get when your Football League status is on the line.

"Let's just hope we can handle it and can end the season by making the progress we all want."

SWANSEA CITY chiefs last night put an astonishing gloss on the ticketing row that almost cost them the chance to bring John Toshack's Wales stars to their new stadium.

Last week the Football Association of Wales had to scrap plans to stage an August friendly at Swansea's new Morfa home to help mark the opening of the 20,000-seater arena.

The FAW was unhappy that StadCo, the company created to manage the stadium, wanted control of ticket sales for the game plus the lion's share of gate receipts.

In an astonishing U-turn, however, the Morfa game - probably against Slovenia - looks to be back on after StadCo dropped their demands in an 11th-hour phone call to FAW boss David Collins.

"StadCo are reviewing their decision and have decided, in the end, to meet the FAW's own financial package for this game," Collins revealed last week.

But, despite Collins' obvious statement to the contrary, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins claims StadCo did not have to do any backtracking on their original demands.

"As far as we're concerned, there was never any disagreement with the FAW over who controlled the ticket sales or how big a share of gate receipts we'd receive from the game," he said.

"We've always been confident that the friendly at Morfa will go ahead and we'll do everything in our power to make sure it happens.

"Clearly we're running a business and the aim is to make money from the match. We've got to make sure the stadium is viable so we can continue to hold football and rugby matches there.

"But it's not been a case of us fighting our corner over ticket sales or anything like that."

Jenkins added, "We're committed to the Wales game going ahead at Morfa.

"It'll be a great way of recognising the efforts Swansea Council have made in getting the stadium up and running.

"Cardiff's Millennium Stadium is well established now, but we want everyone to see that Swansea will also be able to play host to top-quality football and rugby matches."

Morfa bosses, meanwhile, are close to finalising plans for two showpiece July matches to mark the opening of the new stadium.

Italian giants Juventus were mooted as possible opponents, but the prospect of that happening has now been all but ruled out.

An announcement regarding the games is expected to be made in the next few weeks.

Kenny Jackett is determined not to let Swansea City's Lincoln heartbreak shatter their promotion dream. Swansea were still licking their wounds today after Garry Monk's injury-time own goal condemned them to devastating defeat at Sincil Bank.

But with four crunch games left to decide their fate at the top of League Two, Jackett insists his side will not let Lincoln linger in the memory.

''I've got to be honest and say at the moment, I haven't really recovered from what happened on Saturday,'' admitted the Swansea boss.

''I've watched the goal over and over again and every time it feels like another kick in the teeth.

''The shot (from Peter Gain) wasn't going anywhere. It wasn't on target, and if Garry was still there now trying to repeat what he did I don't think he'd be able to.

''It was a disappointment for us, a big one, but we have to put it behind us now and move on to Oxford.''

Swansea welcome mid-table United for Vetch Field's last ever floodlit league game knowing any more slip-ups could force them down the play-off route as they bid for a place in League One.

And although Lincoln ended their five-game unbeaten run over the weekend, Jackett's men head into the closing stages of the season in decent shape.

''It certainly wasn't a poor performance at Lincoln,'' he added.

''We deserved a draw and that was only taken away from us in very cruel circumstances.

''But sometimes that happens in football and, in truth, there have been games we've won this season which should really have been draws.''

Swansea again have a fitness worry over Sam Ricketts (groin and stomach) ahead of the visit of his former club, while Leon Britton is yet to return training after injuring an ankle last week.

''Sam's having to see a specialist but we're still hopeful that he'll be okay for the rest of the season,'' Jackett said, ''and I expect Leon to be okay for the weekend too.''

Swansea fans are being urged to buy Oxford tickets in advance with the club forecasting a full house.

The Centre Stand has already sold out, while only 200 East Stand tickets remain and around 1,000 are left for the North Bank.

GARRY MONK has vowed to make amends for his Lincoln howler by ensuring Swansea City clinch a coveted top-three place - insisting, "Promotion is all I want to remember this season for."

The defender was inconsolable at the weekend after his calamitous stoppage time own-goal gifted Lincoln a 1-0 win that saw Swansea slip out of League Two's automatic promotion zone.

It was the latest unfortunate incident in a season which has seen the former Southampton defender sent off three times - resulting suspensions ruling him out of a total of 10 games - and concede a few costly penalties.

But, as he returned to training yesterday, Monk pledged to put his Sincil Bank nightmare behind him by ensuring Swansea regain their top-three place when Oxford visit the Vetch on Friday night.

"Seeing the ball go in and losing the game in that way felt worse than the times I've been sent off this season," admitted Monk. "It's something I could probably do 1,000 times without the ball going in.

"I just felt so sorry for the manager, the players and the fans who'd travelled up as we'd done so well for 90 minutes.

"I felt pretty down on Sunday and my team-mates were still consoling me when I reported for training on Monday.

"But I've got to put it behind me now and focus on the Oxford match.

"As you can understand, I'm pretty keen to make up for what happened at Lincoln and make sure we get three points - especially at such a crucial stage of the season."

Monk is acutely aware that if Swansea have no cause for celebration come the end of the season, his first year at Swansea will instead be remembered for the own goal and his red cards at Yeovil, Shrewsbury and Mansfield.

With four games to go and Swansea's automatic promotion hopes hanging in the balance, he's determined it won't be the latter.

"If we win promotion, all my red cards and the various other unfortunate things that have happened to me will be forgotten," said the 26-year-old.

"But if we miss out on promotion, that's all people are going to remember.

"Promotion is the only thing I want to remember this season for and I'll be giving 100 per cent over the last four games to make sure it happens."

Oxford's visit gives Swansea the chance to peg back the one-point gap on Scunthorpe and return to the top three before rounding off the season with trips to Bristol Rovers and Bury and a final Vetch date against Shrewsbury.

"The Oxford match is going to be difficult, but generally we've done quite well in these kind of big games at the Vetch," said Monk.

"I think what happened at Lincoln will make everyone even more determined to make sure we get a win.

"On paper, our run-in doesn't look too bad, but these matches are never as easy as they might seem.

"But everyone is feeling positive and we're all raring to go. We can't wait for Oxford."

Garry Monk was today still getting over his bizarre stoppage time own goal at Lincoln City after apologising to his team-mates for the error which cost Swansea City a point. Monk, sent off three times this term, suffered another unfortunate low-point in an otherwise impressive season as Swansea endured heartbreak at Sincil Bank.

Kenny Jackett's men thought they had earned a creditable goalless draw until Andy Robinson's failure to clear allowed Lincoln's Peter Gain to shoot hopefully in the 92nd-minute.

Monk swung to clear the danger but only succeeded in slicing the ball over the stranded Willy Gueret and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

''I've said sorry to the boys because I felt I'd let them down,'' the former Southampton centre-back told the Evening Post.

''They didn't feel that way and were good to me, but I felt responsible. I felt it was my fault.

''I remember the ball coming to Robbo and the lad got it somehow and shot.

''Having seen it on the video I probably could have left it, but I didn't know what was behind me so I had to try to clear.

''It came off the top of my foot and then it was like slow motion. I was holding my breath. I thought it was going over and then it went in the one place where Willy couldn't get to it.''

To compound Monk's misery, the miss-kick proved to be virtually the last action of the match.

He added: ''If it had happened with 20 minutes to go, I would have backed us to get one back. It's just so disappointing because we'd all worked so hard and didn't deserve to lose at a ground where it's not easy to get anything.''

The cruel defeat saw Swansea slip out of League Two's automatic promotion places and heaps pressure on their four remaining games.

Monk went on: ''All we can do now is move on to Oxford. I'm still feeling gutted now, but there'll be no problems picking things up for Friday night.

''Some of the other sides at the top have still got to play each other so that means someone will drop points. If we can win all our games, which is certainly not out of the question, we will go up.''

Jackett refused to blame individuals for the Lincoln reverse, choosing instead to salute Monk's efforts in his first season as a Football League regular.

He added: ''The players showed a lot of character and a lot of passion on Saturday. They showed they cared and, although they were hugely disappointed at the end, I expect them to react positively.

''There were some very encouraging things about our performance and I still believe we can finish in the top three.''

IN AINTREE parlance, it's known as doing a Devon Loch.
Something so inexplicable that punters can only shake their heads in disbelief.

Or if you're Garry Monk having sliced a harmless shot into your own net deep into injury time, then the best place for your head is probably in your hands.

Which is pretty much where Monk's was in the wake of an horrendous own goal that sparked a Sincil Bank party and balanced Swansea's automatic promotion hopes back on a knife-edge.

Poor old Monk. It would be churlish to label the Swans defender as a Monk with a bad habit after his first season in South Wales.

Tough and committed, Monk is mined from the sort of seam that any manager wants running through his team.

But there is no debate that Monk's had a chequered season and the former Southampton player may have admitted to feeling cursed had he chosen to speak to reporters before boarding the team coach for the long and painful journey home.

Dismissed three times, enough suspensions to make Vinnie Jones blush and the concession of a few costly penalties will remain etched on Monk's mind while he relaxes on his summer holidays.

How deep those memories run will depend on Swansea's fortunes over the next month and whether they can peg back a one-point deficit on Scunthorpe after losing the automatic third spot on Saturday in sadistic fashion.

"Garry's had a few unfortunate moments," admitted Swans boss Kenny Jackett.

"It's his first full season, he's had bits and pieces at various clubs but always ended up going back to Southampton.

"He'd not quite made the breakthrough but this is his first full year and he's ended up having a good one.

"I'm not going to blame any individual. It was a big effort from my side and we were unlucky to get beaten."

While Monk would appreciate Jackett's kind words, images of his own goal provided no comfort.

Lincoln's last raid two minutes into the three added on at the end of an absorbing contest showed signs of petering out.

But Andy Robinson - the hero against Cambridge seven days earlier - dithered on the edge of his own area for Peter Gain to line up one final potshot.

Gain's strike was harmless but Monk hacked at the ball and sent it looping over Willy Gueret and onto the crossbar before it bounced down, almost in slow motion, over the goal-line.

Ironically, on a ground where Swansea have won only once in 30 years, they also lost here to an injury time own goal two seasons ago - when Kris O'Leary was the unfortunate player.

"To concede a goal like that is a kick in the teeth," added Jackett.

"We would have been happy with a point and I think that would have been a fair reflection of the game.

"We showed a lot of character and passion - and the players showed they care. I expect them to react positively in the next few weeks."

If Monk was unfortunate, then spare a thought for French goalkeeper Gueret.

Brilliant throughout, he had to be at his elastic best to turn over efforts from Simon Yeo (twice) and Richard Butcher before saving the best for last when, two minutes from time, he courageously blocked at the feet of the unattended Gareth McAuley.

Gueret duly deserved the man-of-the-match honours, but his heroics should not detract from Swansea's attacking intent that would have produced goals on another day.

As Lincoln's early puff receded in the blustery conditions, O'Leary and Roberto Martinez forced an advantage in midfield and Jackett's side passed well.

Lee Thorpe headed wide when it was possibly easier to score and Izzy Iriekpen wasted an even better opening when Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott - captain for the day on his 250th appearance - flapped at another Robinson corner.

Marriott got out of jail again straight after the break, Thorpe caught between going for goal or finding his strike partner Lee Trundle after being presented with possession from a poor throw.

Iriekpen - so commanding at the back that he must have impressed watching Bradford boss Colin Todd, the former England defender - spurned another opening when Robinson's deflected free-kick fell to him.

But, with the goal refusing to come, Swansea retreated in the final 15 minutes and a 'what we have, we hold' mentality began to pervade the visiting ranks.

Lincoln responded by pushing on but their bid to drag Swansea back to within three points was floundering until Monk's late intervention.

At least, Swansea's remaining hurdles - Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town at home and away fixtures at Bristol Rovers and Bury - resemble the Canal Turn rather more than Becher's Brook.

And the wise money would be on them avoiding a Devon Loch-like disaster in the final straight.

"If you look at the last four games then you can say our run-in is not that bad," said Jackett.

"It's very tight still, but I think we'll go up if we win our last four.

"There'll be some twists and turns yet - and I just hope it turns for us."

Garry Monk will hope fortune favours him as well.

GARRY Monk's turbulent season hit new depths yesterday as his freak own goal gifted Lincoln City an injury-time winner, denting Swansea City's automatic promotion hopes.

The former Southampton trainee was inconsolable as he trudged, head down, towards Swansea's team bus after scoring one of the most bizarre own goals of the season, two minutes into stoppage time.

The 26-year-old could only watch in horror as his hacked clearance from Peter Gain's cross-shot looped off the outside of his right boot, over stranded Swans stopper Willy Gueret and into the net, off the underside of the crossbar.

Monk's team-mate Andy Robinson must also share responsibility for Lincoln's late, late show as he failed to clear and allowed Imps midfielder Gain to steal possession and let fly from the left-hand edge of the box.

Dejected Monk instantly sank his head into his hands, knowing his mistake had sent the Swans out of the automatic promotion places. He was distraught in the aftermath of yesterday's defeat and took a vow of silence as he left the ground.

But manager Kenny Jackett was quick to console his heart-broken defender after Monk and his Swansea colleagues' battling performance at high-flying Lincoln, still an outside bet for automatic promotion to League One themselves.

"I'm not the type of manager to apportion blame," said Jackett.

"Andy Robinson did have a chance to clear the ball and Garry was unfortunate. Do you blame somebody for giving away a goal or missing a goal-scoring chance?

"All of us are hurting as it's very disappointing to lose a game that late."

Swansea did miss a host of clear-cut goal-scoring chances and should have won their fourth successive league game, which would have been a season's first, long before Monk's howler. Lincoln also had good chances and were kept out by the heroics of Gueret in the Swansea goal.

Ironically, the only man who could beat the Frenchman was one of his own.Yesterday's own-goal was the latest twist in a roller-coaster first season at the Vetch for Monk. The centre-back has been sent-off three times this season - meaning he's missed 10 games due to suspension - and he was knocked out in an early season draw at Chester.

"Garry has had a few ups and downs this season and may feel a little cursed," said Jackett.

"It's really his first full season as he didn't quite make it at Southampton and played bits and pieces on loan to various teams but, overall, I've been pleased with him."

Jackett's men are now fourth in League Two - a point outside the top three - as Scunthorpe leap-frogged them into third. But, crucially, Swansea's run-in is pretty straightforward as their four remaining games - Oxford on Friday, Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and Bury - are against teams playing for pride.

Jackett said: "We might have to play catch-up football but it's very tight.

"Our run-in is good and I believe if we win our remaining games we'll go up automatically.

"There'll be a few more twists and turns, believe me."

If the unthinkable happens and Swansea do have to contend with the play-offs, where they may have to return to Lincoln, then the fact they haven't beaten a top-six team on the road this season must be a concern for Jackett, whose side have won just once away in almost three months. But that's for another day.

Swansea have won only once at Sincil Bank in 30 years and from the kick-off the signs looked ominous for the Welshmen. They looked nervy at the back as Lincoln went for the jugular. League Two's Player of the Month, Simon Yeo, brought the best out of Gueret as the 23-goal hitman let fly from 25 yards.

Keith Alexander thought his side had taken a deserved lead on 15 minutes as Gareth McAuley headed home Kevin Sandwith's corner - but ref Richard Beeby ruled it out as Ben Futcher had fouled Gueret.

Lee Thorpe should have given the visitors the lead against the run of play on 25 minutes but he headed Andy Robinson's inviting in-swinging cross over from six yards.

Lincoln dominated the first half and Gueret made another cracking finger-tip save from Richard Butcher's scorching 25-yard half-volley.

Izzy Iriekpen should have made the hosts pay for not breaking through on the stroke of half-time.

Lincoln 'keeper Alan Marriott celebrated his 250th Imps appearance with the captaincy honour - but Iriekpen should have punished him on his big day as Marriott dropped Robinson's left-wing corner onto the Swansea defender's head. Iriekpen, however, spared Marriott's blushes, heading wide from three yards.

Marriott's 'day to remember' was becoming 'one to forget' as he dropped another clanger in the first two minutes of the second-half - bowling the ball straight to ex-Lincoln man Thorpe but instead of compounding Marriott's misery, the miss-firing forward tried to set-up Lee Trundle who was offside.

Amazingly, Swansea missed a third glaring goal-scoring chance just before the hour.

Robinson's ambitious 35-yard free-kick was blocked by a wall of Lincoln defenders but a lucky ricochet off Adrian Forbes fell at unmarked Iriekpen's feet. From inside the six-yard box, he blazed wide.

Reliable Gueret again saved Swansea as Yeo's 20-yard crashing volley was pushed over.

And the keeper rounded off a great personal performance in the final two minutes as he dived at McAuley's feet as he looked set to convert Taylor-Fletcher's pin-point cross. Iriekpen then booted Green's effort off the line as Lincoln threw caution to the wind - but then the unthinkable happened.

SWANSEA CITY chiefs were last night frantically trying to rescue plans to bring Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and the rest of John Toshack's Wales stars to their plush new 20,000-seater Morfa Stadium home in August.

The Western Mail has learned that FA of Wales officials angrily scrapped a proposed friendly game at the ground - probably against Euro 2000 finalists Slovenia - following an amazing row with Morfa chiefs over who gets the gate receipts.

The FAW decided at a meeting on Wednesday to snub the Morfa move and take the international - Wales' last warm-up match before the World Cup meeting with England - to Cardiff City's Ninian Park ground instead.

But Morfa bigwigs, realising they had scored an own goal with their financial demands, urgently contacted FAW secretary David Collins yesterday to ask for new talks.

They are ready to back down in a bid to ensure Giggs and co play the prestigious first football game at the new home of west Wales sport.

The row over the Wales match is totally out of synch with the boom factor surrounding sporting events in the Swansea area at the moment.

Kenny Jackett's Swans are chasing promotion, while the Ospreys have won the Celtic League.

But FAW bosses were infuriated to hear that StadCo, the company set up to run the Morfa, wanted control of the Wales match.

StadCo, made up of representatives from the Swans, Ospreys and Swansea Council, demanded the bulk of gate money and insisted they sold the tickets for the sell-out game. But the FAW overwhelmingly threw out the Morfa offer at their meeting and decided to press ahead with taking the match to Ninian Park.

The deal to go to Swansea was finalised, until Tim Powell, chief executive of StadCo, contacted FAW boss Collins yesterday to urge a rethink.

He told Collins that StadCo were still keen to stage the game and would fall into line with what Wales wanted.

FAW chief Collins said last night, "StadCo are reviewing their decision and have decided, in the end, to meet the FAW's own financial package for this game."

Collins conceded that meant a massive U-turn on StadCo's part and that it would also mean the FAW having to revoke their own decision to take the match to Ninian Park.

Collins admitted, "It is right to say we reluctantly made a decision not to take the game to the Morfa.

"But, in light of what has happened with this subsequent telephone call, I'm sure the FAW's management committee will reconsider.

"With goodwill on either side, I believe we can move forward and still house the game at the Morfa. But under our terms, not StadCo's."

The loss of the Swansea game would come as a blow to Wales boss Toshack, who has been keen to promote his team more in west Wales.

Toshack took his side for a training session at The Vetch before the Millennium Stadium clash with Austria towards the end of last month.

He is also keen to take Giggs and co to the Morfa for this match in August.

Wales had originally hoped to play Spain, but it looks like their prospects of landing that match have fallen through, with Slovenia the likely opposition instead.

KENNY JACKETT admits he might have to reassess his aims as the race for League One heads for the wire.
The Swans boss has all season insisted his points tally target of 80 would be enough to grab one of the three automatic promotion places on offer.

But, with six teams all capable of making it to that benchmark, Jackett conceded his side might have to find a few more points from somewhere.

"It's tough to say," said Jackett ahead of tomorrow's trip to Lincoln. "I've said all the way through the season that we were looking at 80 points - it's been our aim from the start.

"But, looking at it now, whether that would be enough, I don't know. Macclesfield used their game in hand (in Tuesday's draw with Oxford) to keep it close and it does seem that it will depend on what other teams do."

With 71 points in the bag and Swansea sitting in third, three wins from the remaining five games would give Jackett his requested total. But Southend (74), Yeovil (72), Scunthorpe (69), Macclesfield (69) and tomorrow's opponents Lincoln (65) are all capable of hitting the same heights.

Traditionally, 80 points is enough to guarantee higher-level football and even though last year Huddersfield had to tough it out in the play-offs after reaching 81, Jackett thinks missing out on the top three after reaching such a tally would be harsh.

"I think we could consider ourselves unlucky," he said. "If you look over the years, it's generally been enough. Whether it's enough now is hard to tell.

"Different people reckon we'll need different things from the last games - some say three out of five, some more, some less. But I just can't call it - it's too tight. All we can do is look at the next game and do our best to win it."

However the scenario pans out, it all adds up to a nail-biting finale to the season for Jackett. Yet the former Wales international insists he's more excited than anything else.

"It's definitely a big excitement to me rather than nervous times," said Jackett. "This is a fantastic situation to be in after my first season.

"Lincoln is a very important game but performance is just as important as the result because if all you focus on is winning then you can get anxious. If we get our form right we're in position and we'll be okay."

Andy Robinson, one of the key men in keeping the Swans' three-match winning run going, is set to start after his super-sub appearance against Cambridge. But there's unlikely to be any place on the bus to Sincil Bank for Leon Britton after the midfielder missed training yesterday with an ankle problem.

Kenny Jackett admits his 80-point promotion target may not be enough to clinch a place in League One. Swansea City need three wins from their five remaining League Two games to achieve the mark set by Jackett at the start of the season.

But with a clutch of teams bunched near the summit of the Coca-Cola basement, the Swansea boss fears his side may require more.

''I've said all season that I thought 80 points would get us to the top three,'' Jackett said.

''That's been my aim right from the beginning, but now I don't know whether it will be enough.

''It's a tough one to call because it's very, very tight at the top.

''If we got to 80 and didn't get automatic promotion we would feel unlucky, because going back over the years that's generally been enough.

''People have said three wins from our five games will get us there, but it all depends on what the other sides around us do. At the moment it's just too close to call.''

Swansea face the most daunting challenge among their remaining fixtures with a trip to sixth-placed Lincoln tomorrow.

The Imps went down 1-0 at Notts County last weekend, but thanks to three straight wins prior to that defeat they are still top-three candidates.

A manager who preaches the benefits of route one football, Keith Alexander has led his side to the play-offs for two years running and has a full-strength squad to choose from for this potentially crucial game.

''They know what this stage of the season is all about,'' conceded Jackett, whose first Swansea league game ended in defeat at Sincil Bank a year ago this weekend.

''At home particularly they are a handful, but every team has to go everywhere in the league and combat different styles of football.

''They have some big players, they have some athletic players and they have been going along very well in the second half of the season.''

Leon Britton (ankle) is a doubt for the long trip, meaning a possible recall for Adrian Forbes on the right of Swansea's midfield.

Andy Robinson could dislodge Kevin McLeod on the left, while Lee Thorpe continues up front against one of his former clubs.

''We're delighted to have won our last three games,'' added Jackett, ''but this is a very tough one which could be very important to our season.''

Lincoln has not been a happy hunting ground for Swansea in recent years, though there may be one good omen in the record books.

Their last Sincil success - courtesy of Jason Price's goal - came in 1999-2000, when John Hollins's team went onto lift the Third Division title.

Kevin Austin believes Swansea City will be en route for promotion if they can stifle Lincoln City's route one approach this weekend. Kenny Jackett's side head to Sincil Bank tomorrow for what on paper is comfortably the sternest challenge of the five remaining in their League Two campaign.

Lincoln, currently in sixth place six points behind Swansea, are the only team Jackett's men must face from now on in with anything serious to play for in what is left of 2004-5.

Play-off losers in the last two seasons, the Imps will be thinking a top-three spot is still possible if they can overcome Swansea.

And they should not lack confidence.

They have lost on their own patch only once since October, and have not stumbled with Swansea in town since 1999.

In their last home outing, Keith Alexander's team added the scalp of Scunthorpe to those of Yeovil and Northampton already taken in Lincolnshire this season.

Evidently, the direct style Rushden & Diamonds manager Barry Hunter recently described as ''disgusting'' brings Lincoln their share of palatable results.

''They were a direct side when I was there,'' remembers Austin, one of the club's powerhouses for three years after signing from Leyton Orient back in 1996.

''John Beck was the manager then and that style brought its success. It looks like the same thing is happening again now.

''I say fair play to Keith Alexander.

''Lincoln are a good club who I've followed since I left. They were on their knees at one stage and he's turned them round.''

Austin talks fondly about his time at Lincoln, the club he credits with putting his career ''on a sound-footing'' after they splashed out £30,000 on his services.

Yet he is not exactly relishing his upcoming return.

A trip to Lincoln, after all, usually means lots of defending and a barrage of high balls to clear.

With the likes of Ben Futcher - at 6ft 7in, the same height as Martin Johnson - in the home ranks, any of the sloppiness which has troubled Swansea at set-pieces on occasions this season is likely to mean a first defeat in six matches.

''They've got some good players and they'll make it difficult for us,'' reckons Austin.

''They'll be in our faces right from the word go and as defenders, we're probably going to see a lot of the ball.

''We're going to need to be switched on because some resolute defending will be required.

''But we know what's coming and whatever they throw at us, we'll try to deal with.''

A close eye must be kept on Gary Taylor-Fletcher, last season's player of the year and scorer of 12 goals so far this term.

Simon Yeo, one of the country's hottest forwards with 15 strikes in his last 16 matches and 23 in all, warrants even greater attention.

For Austin, in the midst of a run of meetings with former clubs after Cambridge last week and with Bristol Rovers to come, there is the division's joint-meanest defensive record to protect.

''We've had the bad patch as a team and during that run we let in a few goals,'' says the 32-year-old.

''But over the course of the season our record isn't that bad and hopefully we're back on track now. We had a bit of a wobble, but now we've started to put things right.''

Even if the bad times - when they collected only one win from nine matches - are behind Swansea, chances are there are plenty of nervy moments ahead.

Handsome victory tomorrow could send them back to the top of the league, defeat may well see them slide back into the play-off places.

The race to escape the Football League basement looks like lasting right up until May 7.

''That's the way I see it,'' Austin admits. ''There will be work to do whatever happens this weekend, although three points would be a massive boost for us.

''I think if we work hard and stick together, we can do it.".

While last season's Swansea City player-of-the-year vote came down to a two-horse race, this spring's contest looks as wide open as tomorrow's Grand National. Twelve months ago Lee Trundle and Andy Robinson were the only serious candidates, with the latter winning the most support from Evening Post readers to cap a remarkable debut season in professional football.

This time round there are a clutch of names in the running.

The Post has once again teamed up with Swansea to find the club's official player of the season.

The winner will be decided by you, the fans, though first we had the difficult task of trimming the shortlist down to four candidates.

With a little help from those in the know at the Vetch, we have come up with players who have excelled in each department of Kenny Jackett's side in 2004-5.

In goal, Willy Gueret has made the daunting task of filling Roger Freestone's boots look easy.

After spending last summer chasing numerous keepers, Jackett stumbled across a gem in the shape of the imposing Frenchman, who has bossed his box and rarely put a foot wrong.

There was no hint of fortune, however, about the signing of Swansea's star turn in defence.

Sam Ricketts, Jackett's second recruit, arrived from Telford United and is now playing for Wales.

The only trouble he has caused Swansea? The three League Two games he has missed because of international commitments.

And so to midfield, where Kristian O'Leary wins a nomination.

This has been a remarkable year for the one local lad in Jackett's team, one where he has gone from being a defender who may have struggled for a start to one of the first names on the Swansea teamsheet in a more advanced role.

Whether he wins this award or not, O'Leary should be rewarded with a new contract and a testimonial after 10 years' service.

The final nominee is last year's runner-up.

Scorer of 21 goals in 2003-4, Lee Trundle has actually had a better campaign this time around.

Virtually injury free since the opening weeks, he has already surpassed last year's tally - he currently has 23 - and has been a key creator for Swansea as well.

Not seen the player you wanted to vote for on the list?

Certainly, there are others who might easily have made it.

Kevin Austin was only omitted at the last. The former Bristol Rovers powerhouse has had a fine year playing either at left back or in the centre of defence, but has to settle for the unsung hero award.

Adrian Forbes will have his supporters, while Robinson has had his good days once again this year but it is difficult to ignore his disciplinary problems.

Speaking of which, Garry Monk is another unfortunate member of Jackett's miserly defence who does not make the final four.

Three red cards, however unjust a couple of them may have been, and a total of 10 games suspended rule him out, though his time will probably come when life begins at Morfa.

In Vetch Field's final season, Gueret, Ricketts, O'Leary and Trundle have eyes on the prize.

Swansea City have allowed Brad Maylett to join Boston on a free transfer because his chances of first-team football at Vetch Field are slim. Winger Maylett, on loan at Boston for the last three weeks, made his move to York Street permanent yesterday, agreeing a deal until summer 2006.

The former Burnley man was contracted to Swansea for another year, but chairman Huw Jenkins said: ''We understand that Brad wants to play first-team football and we don't want to stand in his way.

''We thank him for all his efforts for Swansea in the last couple of years. He's had some good games for us and it's just a shame he's had a few injury problems this season.

''Brad's a young player with a promising career in front of him and we all hope he does well.''

Thomas has undergone three operations on his knee

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett has invited injury-prone striker James Thomas to pre-season training. The ex-Blackburn front man, 26, recently underwent a third operation to cure a chronic knee problem and is out of contract in the summer.

But Jackett told the South Wales Evening Post he will give Thomas the chance to prove his fitness.

"James will have to regain his match fitness and we're giving him July to impress," said the Swans manager.

Boston have completed the permanent signing of Swansea winger Brad Maylett. Former Burnley player Maylett, 24, joined Boston on loan last month and has agreed a deal to keep him at York Street until the end of the season.

Boss Steve Evans told Boston's website: "He's been excellent and given us natural balance on the right-hand side of the team.

"It's no secret he had other options but he's settled in well and we're pleased he's committed himself to us."

Britton injury worry for Swansea

Swansea City midfielder Leon Britton is a serious doubt for Saturday's trip to Lincoln with a swollen ankle. As of Thursday the 22-year-old had not been able to train with the injury.

Manager Kenny Jackett was pleased with promotion rivals Macclesfield's 1-1 draw at Oxford that left the Swans two points clear of the play-off pack.

"That result did us a favour, but the important thing is that promotion is in our hands and we have to get our performance right," he told the BBC.

"Lincoln are a good team, especially at home.
"I have a lot of respect for them, they know what this stage of the season is all about."

Swansea City will don the tin lids next weekend as Lincoln City continue their aerial bombardment on League Two's promotion places. Keith Alexander's direct approach has served the Imps well during the last two seasons, with a club which had previously struggled to avoid relegation reaching the play-offs in consecutive campaigns.

Alexander's men are looking good for a top-seven spot once again this season, though their no-nonsense style could yet deliver an automatic route to League One if they can string together a spectacular stretch of results during what looks a difficult run-in.

It would probably not be the most popular outcome for the neutrals were they to reach League One.

Just as they send a volley of balls pounding into opposition penalty areas, Lincoln often have to dodge verbal hand grenades coming in the other direction.

Rushden & Diamonds' young manager Barry Hunter was the latest to go on the offensive after Alexander's men ran out 4-1 winners at Nene Park on Good Friday.

"We were playing against a team that plays disgusting football," he moaned.

"It makes me sick watching it. They just play for set-pieces and it's disgraceful football.

"I'm glad I don't have to see it again for a while."

Predictably, Hunter's grumbles did not go down too well with their visitors.

"It makes you laugh really," sneered Alexander, a 6ft 4in lower-league striker during his playing days.

"He's been in the game two minutes as a manager and feels he can criticise us.

"I've been a manager 15 years and thought we played some good football.

"He's got enough on his plate keeping Rushden in the division and getting his own house in order without concentrating on us.

"I shall be speaking to the League Managers' Association about his comments.

"Three seasons ago we played some great football but finished in the bottom three so it's horses for courses. You've got to play football that wins you matches and gets you out of the division."

Lincoln might not have achieved that yet, though further evidence their approach works came with a 2-0 win over high-flying neighbours Scunthorpe on Easter Monday.

Unbeaten in their last four matches, they must play Macclesfield, Northampton, Darlington and Yeovil after Swansea visit.

"We've got all the top sides to play and one or two will not relish coming to us," Alexander declared.

"But first and foremost, we have to make sure we stay in the play-off positions."

Kenny Jackett has indicated that he wants Izzy Iriekpen to be a Swansea City player next season. But as the countdown to the end of the current campaign continues, Iriekpen admits the chances of that happening become a little more slim.

The lofty Londoner has laid a few roots in South Wales since arriving at Swansea initially on trial a couple of summers back.

Upheaval is the last thing he wants come the 2005 close season, and he is optimistic that his future will be settled in the next few weeks.

But Iriekpen, whose present contract expires in June, concedes: "I hope it will be sorted before the end of the season, because if it goes that far I will be a free agent and other clubs can come in.

"I want to stay at Swansea.

"I've settled down here with my girlfriend and the club is on the up.

"We've got a fantastic new stadium coming and hopefully we're going to be in a higher division next season as well."

As things stand just now, Iriekpen is like a number of his Vetch Field colleagues whose terms with the club run out in the summer.

A little in the dark.

At least the imposing 22-year-old has had some indication that he is still wanted.

"The manager has said he wants to keep me here and I appreciate that," he explains.

"He has shown a lot of confidence in me and I'd love the chance to repay him.

"But there's no news yet as far as a new contract goes.

"My agent has been trying to speak to the chairman and while I want to stay, a deal has got to be sorted out."

Otherwise a player who has, when fit, proved a success since Brian Flynn snapped him up may be contributing to someone else's cause next season.

"My agent has told me about interest from other clubs," he reveals, "but I'm not too bothered about all that.

"I just want to commit myself to Swansea."

Since a dreadful run of injuries which saw him complete only six league games between late March and mid-December 2004, Iriekpen has done his chances of landing an attractive new deal no harm.

Had contracts been dished out over Christmas, he may have struggled because worrying knee problems meant Jackett had hardly seen him play.

But all that has now changed.

In a hotly-contested position, Iriekpen was due for his 22nd consecutive Swansea appearance when former club Cambridge checked in at Vetch Field this afternoon.

"It's nice that the manager has had the confidence to play me," he says.

"And I've just been trying to repay him with some good performances.

"If the manager has confidence in you it gives you confidence, and I've been pretty pleased with the way things have gone."

He adds: "I think myself and Garry Monk have formed a pretty good partnership.

"He reads the game well and he talks well, but I wouldn't like to say what I bring. You'll have to ask him.

"I do think things have gone well, though, and hopefully we can keep it going from now until the end of the season."

During which time, he believes, Swansea have a golden opportunity to secure a top-three place.

"The competition for places in the squad is there," Iriekpen points out.

"No one is guaranteed a start and you know that you need to give it your all every time you go training, never mind just on the pitch.

"I think with the players we've got, we will be pretty close to going up if we can stay injury free."

After Swansea's Easter successes, the shared worries of a fortnight ago are now only lingering among the pessimists.

"People started to panic because we drew a couple of home games and lost a couple away," says Iriekpen, suggesting he was never the slightest bit concerned.

"But you look at the table now and we are still right in there with a chance of finishing on top.

"I'm confident that we can do it."

Stuart Jones has revealed he was set to leave Swansea City before last week's transfer deadline until he was struck down by injury. Now the Welsh Under-21 international defender believes he is likely to depart when his contract expires this summer.

Aberystwyth-born Jones was close to joining former Swan Chris Todd at Conference club Exeter City but saw his hopes of a move to the South West scuppered by a knee ligament problem.

"The manager hasn't said anything definite about what my future holds," Jones says. "But he told me about three weeks ago that if I wanted to get out and play some first-team football elsewhere then I could go.

"The plan was for me to spend a couple of days training with Exeter with a view to signing on loan, but I'd been feeling my knee for a while and then I injured it playing for the reserves three days before the transfer deadline.

"To be honest, the injury couldn't have come at a worse time."

So what next for Jones, a player Kenny Jackett's predecessor, Brian Flynn, had tipped for great things?

"I think it's more than likely that I'll be leaving Swansea at the end of the season," he says ruefully.

"I have only been involved in four first-team games all year and that's not what I want.

"If the manager said to me he wanted me to stay and there was a possibility of playing more regularly next season, then great.

"But I can't really see that happening at the moment so I think I'll be going elsewhere."

Capable of playing at right-back or in the centre of defence, the Vetch Field youth product has managed 38 senior appearances since making his debut in 2002-3.

Flynn had earmarked the 21-year-old for a rise up the Football League alongside his good friend Richard Duffy, now on loan at Coventry City from Portsmouth.

He is yet to feature for Wales since Flynn took over the nation's emerging sides because of his lack of first-team action, however, and Jones now fears he may have to drop out of the Football League to make progress in his career.

"The frustrating thing is that most league clubs are only interested in experienced players in my position," he adds.

"Of course I'd like to stay in the league and I'll just have to hope that someone is willing to take a young defender on.

"It's disappointing the way things have turned out."

Jones's knee problems should clear up pretty quickly, though even when fit he is not expecting a role in Swansea's promotion push.

"It's just a case of roll on summer for me really," he concedes.

Swansea boss Kenny Jackett praised the attitude of substitute Andy Robinson as his second-half introduction inspired the Swans to a 3-0 win over seemingly doomed Cambridge.
Lee Trundle may grab the headlines following a late double strike but it was Robinson who sparked the home side into life.

Eleven minutes after taking to the field he collected a cross-field pass from Trundle before firing into the net off the far post for the decisive opener and his manager was delighted by his response to being dropped.

"I know that Andy was disappointed at not being in the starting line up but my responsibility is the result and it has worked out for us," said Jackett.

"I don't suppose any of my players are happy when they're not in the team but you have to show the right attitude and Andy certainly did that by setting us on the way to victory.

"It's high stakes now at every game but we have come through this one to win well."

After an abysmal opening period when neither defence was in any sort of trouble it opened up after the interval following the introduction of Robinson. He pushed out into a wide position and his bustling runs caused the visitors problems.

"I was devastated at being left out but you have to take your chance when it comes and I thought I did just that," Robinson declared.

"Cambridge were a lot better than their league position shows but we knew that once we could score the first, more goals would follow."

Cambridge are now odds on certainties to be gracing the Conference next season and manager Steve Thompson admitted that his appointment may not save the club in time.

"This club has been on the slide for the last three years and I came in too late to do anything about it this season," he said.

"We had a game plan and it worked for an hour but once Robinson came on and added width we were in trouble. Trundle was given room to play and once that happened we had no answer."

Swansea now go into the last five games on a high following three successive victories and with their promotion rivals all slipping up and dropping points, an automatic spot is there for the taking.

Swansea moved into third spot in Coca-Cola League Two after a 3-0 win against Cambridge at the Vetch Field.
Andy Robinson opened the scoring after 66 minutes and a late brace from striker Lee Trundle sealed the points. Cambridge remain at the foot of the table.

The Swans moved up a place as Scunthorpe could only manage a goalless draw against Mansfield at Glanford Park.

Meanwhile, Yeovil missed the chance to go top after late goals gave Rushden & Diamonds victory at Nene Park.

Rushden, who are battling to avoid relegation, grabbed a vital three points after Stuart Gray opened the scoring with eight minutes remaining in the match.

William Sharp scored a second in the 88th minute to ensure the 2-0 victory and deny Gary Johnson's side a place at the summit, with Southend top after yesterday's win against Bristol Rovers.

Wycombe's play-off hopes were boosted after Nathan Tyson smashed in a hat-trick against Kidderminster at the Causeway Stadium.

The forward opened the scoring after 25 minutes and doubled the lead 11 minutes later. He completed his treble - and the 3-0 win - in the 67th minute.

Lincoln's play-off hopes were dented after a 1-0 defeat against Notts County, with Julien Baudet grabbing the winner from the penalty spot four minutes before half-time at Meadow Lane.

The hosts had to play with 10 men for much of the second half after Scott Oakes was dismissed for two bookable offences.

Promotion hopefuls Northampton conceded a dramatic late goal that sent them crashing to defeat against Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium.

The Cobblers were 2-0 down to goals from John Mackie and Lee Steele, but Andy Kirk and Ashley Westwood both struck to level matters. With seconds remaining Steele scored the winner to give the Os full points.

Clyde Wijnhard scored a penalty with 14 minutes remaining to give Darlington a 1-0 win over Chester, who had Phil Bolland sent off in the final stages.

Mansfield beat Grimsby 2-0 at Field Mill with goals coming from Adam Rundle and Simon Brown.

Shrewsbury eased away from relegation trouble with a 3-0 win against Oxford at Gay Meadow. David Edwards broke the deadlock two minutes after the interval, and Paul Wanless scored an own goal to double the lead. Luke Rodgers wrapped up the win with 19 minutes remaining.

Jason Lee scored twice for Boston as they beat Cheltenham 2-1. The veteran striker scored in the 15th minute and again with two minutes remaining. Martin Devaney pulled one back from the penalty spot but the visitors could not find a leveller.

Bury and Rochdale could not break the deadlock at Gigg Lane, with the point not helping Dale chase promotion or the Shakers move away from relegation trouble.

EARLIER in the season he was happy to settle for 1-0 victories - but Kenny Jackett admits Swansea's automatic promotion hopes could now hinge on how often they hit the target.

Jackett knows there will be a weight of expectation on the Swans this afternoon to produce a convincing win against a Cambridge side seemingly destined for the Nationwide Conference.

And, considering how little daylight there is between the sides at the top of League Two, he accepts dishing out a hammering or two could significantly strengthen Swansea's automatic promotion cause.

"I'd still take 1-0 wins all day long, but the closer you get to the end of the season, the more important goal difference becomes," said the Swans boss.

"And goal difference could be crucial in terms of where we finish up in the table, especially as a lot of the teams at the top have still got to play each other.

"The relatively low points total at the top of the league, compared to the other divisions, makes you realise how hard it is to achieve anything.

"There's only 18 points left to play for and we're at the stage of the season where small margins can make big differences.

"So, yes, we're now looking at goal difference being an important factor."

The league table illustrates Jackett's argument. His side head into today's match locked on the same number of points (68) as third-placed Scunthorpe.

Even if Brian Laws' side win their promotion shoot-out with Macclesfield, Swansea could still steal third place if they beat Cambridge by a bigger margin and, ideally, keep a clean sheet.

However, even though Cambridge are six points adrift of safety at the bottom and haven't won away all season, Jackett is warning Swans fans not to expect a whitewash at the Vetch.

"Perhaps people will be expecting us to wipe the floor, but Cambridge put on a very good performance against Southend last week and were unlucky to lose the game," he said.

"They'll be battling and scrapping for their lives. They won't lack any determination whatsoever so it would be foolish for me or anyone else to underestimate them."

There will be a familiar face leading the line for the U's - former Wales striker Iwan Roberts, who is on loan at the Abbey Stadium from Championship outfit Gillingham.

Roberts turned down the chance to become Jackett's No 2 at the Vetch last summer in order to continue playing at a higher level, but now finds himself fighting relegation from the Football League.

"It doesn't surprise me to see Iwan at Cambridge because he's someone who just wants to play first-team football and he'll go wherever he can to do that," said Jackett, a former Watford team-mate of Roberts'.

"He's a very determined character who leads the line well. He'll be a handful for us."

As regards his own team, Jackett has virtually a full-strength squad to pick from as Swansea bid to make it a hat-trick of wins.

"It's great to have a clean bill of health at such a crucial stage of the season," he said.

"Have I got tough decisions to make? Not at all. As a manager, having a full squad to pick from is exactly what you want. Besides, at the moment, it's important that everyone puts the club first."

Jackett is expected to revert to 4-4-2 after successfully fielding three strikers in the two Easter wins over Macclesfield and Cheltenham. That means either Paul Connor or Lee Thorpe will drop to the bench.

After his Wales adventures, Sam Ricketts will return to the back-four, probably at the expense of Andy Gurney, while in central midfield Jackett must choose between club captain Roberto Martinez and fit-again Marcus Bean.

TWO men appeared in court yesterday after an alleged incident of racial abuse at a football match.

Nigel Callahan, 40, and David Payne, 24, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court facing charges connected to an Oxford United against Swansea match in Oxford in December.

Callahan of Oxford is charged with racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour with intent to cause harassment, harm or distress, while Payne, also of Oxford, is charged with common assault.

AFTER Grand Slam rugby glory and World Cup football, you might have thought Welsh sport deserved a little breather.

But there will be no rest for our three Football League clubs today on what is, without doubt, the biggest day of their seasons.

Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham have to much to play for and what happens in the final six weeks of the campaign will probably be shaped by events today.

Nowhere is that more true than at Plymouth Argyle where Lennie Lawrence's Cardiff are involved in a classic 'six-point' relegation battle.

Lose, and the Bluebirds will feel much the same way as the Spanish Armada did after Francis Drake spotted them during a game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe.

"The relegation battle encompasses nine teams from Nottingham Forest to Watford," said Lawrence, whose City side lie a point outside the relegation zone and are two shy of Plymouth with a game in hand.

"The first team to win back-to-back games is out of it, though Forest might need to do a bit more because they're a few more points adrift.

"Plymouth have got us and then Watford on Tuesday - and they'll be thinking six points and we're out of it. That's their incentive. This is a real crunch time for them.

"We'll be trying to win and we'd dearly love to win. But it's more important that we don't lose. The sooner we get back-to-back wins, the sooner we'll be out of it."

Looking ahead to a week that also includes a trip to play-off-chasing Stoke on Tuesday, Lawrence said, "We've got two difficult away games and we need to get points from them.

"That's how I see it. Plymouth are OK at home - they don't do so well away - and there will be a passionate and sizeable crowd there."

While Cardiff hope to avoid playing in League One next season, that is the target spurring Swansea on after a deliriously happy Easter.

Holiday wins over Macclesfield and Cheltenham have catapulted Swansea back into the automatic promotion picture at just the right time.

The Swans know a Vetch Field victory over rock-bottom Cambridge United today could take them back into the top three for the first time in six weeks.

Irrespective of the outcome between third-placed Scunthorpe and fifth-placed Macclesfield, Swansea realise the profit of a thumping victory.

"The closer you get to the end of the season, the more important goal difference becomes," said Swans boss Kenny Jackett.

"And goal difference could be crucial in terms of where we finish up in the table.

"A lot of the teams at the top have still got to play each other. But there's only 18 points left to play for and we're at the stage of the season where small margins can make big differences."

Wrexham return from a two-week break because of international action knowing their League One status hangs by the slimmest of threads.

Punished 10 points for slipping into administration last December, it is testament to Denis Smith's managerial skills that the Red Dragons still have a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.

But profitable Easters for relegation rivals Milton Keynes Dons and Oldham means the gap between Wrexham and the last safety spot has grown to eight points.

Wrexham - who have two games in hand on the teams above them - hope to reduce the deficit at home to play-off hopefuls Bournemouth today and at mid-table Barnsley on Tuesday.

And Smith has told his players to forget about next weekend's LDV Vans Trophy final showdown with Southend at the Millennium Stadium.

"There are two games before the LDV Vans Trophy final and the players should have put that game to the back of their minds," said Smith, "because they might not be playing in the final if they haven't.

"There are more than enough points to get out of trouble and we've got to go into our remaining games believing that we can win them."

It's a thought that should be in the mind of every Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham player over the next six weeks.
If not, the Welsh football landscape will be an incredibly desolate place come the end of May.

Alan Tate is targeting a return to first-team action this weekend believing Swansea City are fighting for just one of League Two's automatic prom- otion places. Centre-back Tate, fit again after ankle trouble, has hailed the efforts of Kenny Jackett's side over Easter, claiming their win double has pushed them back into the race for a place in League One.

But the former Manchester United youngster reckons Swansea are battling with three other sides for only one top-three spot.

''I think Yeovil and Southend are definitely up,'' Tate said.

''Yeovil are the best team in our division and, although we're good enough to compete with Southend, they showed what a good side they are when they beat us at their place and they probably felt they should have won at the Vetch as well.

''They're on a great run at the moment and I think we're competing for one place with Scunthorpe, Macclesfield and Lincoln, another side who are going really well.''

Tate has been a reluctant observer since damaging ankle ligaments in training at the beginning of the month.

He added: ''If you'd asked me a couple of weeks ago, I probably would have said it was looking like the play-offs for us.

''But fair play to the lads, they got a couple of great wins over the weekend and, given the way the other results went, I don't see why we shouldn't achieve automatic promotion.''

Having returned to training last week, Tate was today hoping to put himself in contention for Saturday's clash with bottom club Cambridge by coming through the reserves' meeting with Cheltenham.

''I hate watching games. Even when I was with United I would only go to the big European ties,'' he added. ''So I'm delighted to be getting back to fitness and I just hope to do enough to persuade the manager to include me at the weekend.

''It's the worst injury I've ever had. The longest I'd been out before was 10 days and I can't wait to get back involved.''

Swansea, meanwhile, have thanked their supporters for their contribution to the club's holiday weekend successes.

''The atmosphere the fans generated at home against Macclesfield and then at Cheltenham was electric,'' enthused director David Morgan.

''Opposition directors are always commenting about the quality and size of our support and we realise how lucky we are.''

Swansea anticipate another big crowd on Saturday and tickets are on sale now.

The club are considering making Oxford's visit to the Vetch on April 15 - the ground's final floodlit game - all-ticket, while they have requested more than the initial allocation of 1,250 tickets for the trip to Bristol Rovers eight days later.

Leaders Yeovil came unstuck last night, losing 3-1 at home to Notts County. They lead Southend by a point and are four ahead of Scunthorpe and Swansea.

Cheltenham Town fell to their seventh home league defeat of the season.

They did so after the 5ft 6in Leon Britton headed home. Britton headed automatic promotion hopefuls Swansea City's winner eight minutes from the end of a vibrant match. Cheltenham midfielder Grant McCann was sent off in the second minute of time added on for a challenge on Lee Trundle while he was using up time near the corner flag.

They also lost fellow midfielder John Finnigan, who scored twice in the 3-2 win at Leyton Orient four days ago, in the 34th minute after he took a kick on a knee, which is not thought to be serious.

He was replaced by Brian Wilson.

Swansea had five players booked and conceded 21 free-kicks, 13 of them in the first half.

Cheltenham slipped to their sixth defeat in eight games, which left them 12th and 10 points off the final play-off place occupied by Northampton Town.

It was an open match which could have gone either way as Cheltenham showed good form after the 3-0 defeat by Southend United in their last game at Whaddon Road on March 19.

They were hit by a second-minute goal by Lee Thorpe, who scored with a header at the far post, but recovered with a breakaway goal by Martin Devaney in the 25th minute.

Striker Steve Guinan had a close-range hook shot cleared from the line and Wilson ran 40 yards after breaking inside his own half before he was caught by Kristian O'Leary.

Trundle, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions, was involved in Swansea's winner.

The former Wrexham striker turned and shot just inside the box, goalkeeper Shane Higgs dived to palm the ball away and Britton threw himself forward for the header.

Manager John Ward made more changes, restoring Jamie Victory at left-back and moving Alan Morgan to the left of midfield. He stuck to the 4-5-1 formation he used at Orient.

Ward switched Devaney across to the right side of midfield and retained David Bird in the middle with Grant McCann and Finnigan.

Kayode Odejayi was the player to make way after two successive starts, up front against Southend and on the right side of midfield at Orient.

After their big improvement at Orient, Cheltenham soon found themselves behind.

Thorpe rose at the far post to head in Andy Robinson's cross from the right bye-line.

Cheltenham should have drawn level three minutes later, when Guinan found space to meet McCann's corner, but his header went just beyond the far post.

Thorpe was lucky to stay on the pitch when none of the officials saw him stamp on a grounded Michael Taylor.

The protests from the crowd were loud and long, but referee Steve Tanner did not act.

Cheltenham carved another chance in the 16th minute, when Victory nodded back McCann's free-kick to Bird, whose powerful volley from 25 yards flashed past a post.

By the 22nd minute, Robinson and Roberto Martinez had both been booked and Swansea, who used the 4-3-3 line-up they employed in the 2-0 win over Macclesfield Town four days ago, were giving away free-kicks with abandon before they conceded a goal in the 25th minute.

McCann started the move by winning the ball off Martinez and sending away Devaney just inside the Swansea half. He kept going and his shot went in through the legs of goalkeeper Willie Gueret.

A half-volley by O'Leary on the half-hour thudded into Higgs' chest before Finnigan's injury and another McCann free-kick was held low by a post by Gueret.

Cheltenham gave as good as they got and could have been ahead when Guinan got a leg in before Gueret reached the ball and flipped it beyond him.

The ball looked like going in until Kevin Austin appeared and hooked it away from the line.

In the 64th minute, Wilson was presented with a great chance by McCann. The problem was he had to run 40 yards to get there and he was clearly considering shooting when O'Leary arrived and made a shot-stopping tackle.

Odejayi took over from Guinan in the 66th minute and Higgs made a flying tip-over save from substitute Marcus Bean before the game was won and lost.

Trundle, who had been quiet, turned just inside the area and forced a flying save from Higgs. The ball roll on out to the far post, where Britton flung himself forward and headed it in.

Britton was booked for his goal celebration and the game ended on a sour note when McCann was sent off two minutes into time added on.

Cheltenham go to Boston United, who drew 1-1 at automatic promotion-chasers Macclesfield yesterday, on Saturday before they host Shrewsbury Town on April 8 and Northampton Town eight days later.

Cheltenham Town: Higgs, Gill, Taylor, Duff, Victory, Devaney, Finnigan (Wilson 34), Bird, McCann, Morgan (Gillespie 83), Guinan (Odejayi 67). Other subs, Brown, Caines.

Swansea City: Gueret, Gurney, Iriekpen, Monk, Austin, O'Leary, Martinez (Bean 65), Robinson (Britton 73), Trundle, Thorpe, Connor (McLeod 56). Other subs, Murphy, Anderson.

Referee: Steve Tanner. Attendance: 4,669.


Former Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill was at the game, along with two others from Burnley with Cheltenham connections, Michael Duff and physio Andy Mitchell.

Leon Britton believes Swansea City are back on course for League One after an Easter weekend double resurrected their automatic promotion hopes. Substitute Britton scored a memorable headed winner nine minutes from time at Cheltenham Town yesterday to ensure Swansea backed up Friday's impressive victory over Macclesfield with another three-point haul.

And the former West Ham youngster reckons Kenny Jackett's men are now ready to compile the sort of run in the final six league games of the season which will deliver a top-three spot.

''We've had two massive wins over the weekend,'' Britton said.

''We were a bit down after the bad run (of one win in nine games) saw us drop out of the top three, but after two fantastic results the confidence is high again now.

''We've got the six points we wanted and we feel we can put a run together which will push us to automatic promotion.''

Britton, who had been on the pitch only eight minutes, scored for the first time in over a year to hand Swansea victory in an even game at Whaddon Road after Martin Devaney had cancelled out Lee Thorpe's opener in the first half.

Swansea's followers will expect another maximum when bottom-club Cambridge come to Vetch Field on Saturday, though Britton warned: ''People will think we should get three points, but we were struggling at the bottom two years ago and we know they'll be fighting for their lives like we were.

''The manager will work hard to get us right and we all have to concentrate on how to beat Cambridge now.''

Jackett's side moved above Macclesfield - who have a game in hand - and level on points with third-placed Scunthorpe with victory yesterday.

''Our competitors at the top, especially Yeovil and Scunthorpe, have been terrific at getting late goals this season when they haven't necessarily played that well,'' the Swansea boss said.

''We haven't done that enough, perhaps because we haven't believed in ourselves or had enough drive, but we've done it at Cheltenham to give us a very big win.

''Now we look and say we have to keep on improving our performance level away from home while making sure we stay strong at home.''

Swansea, who included Paul Connor yesterday after he passed a late fitness test on a back problem, should have Adrian Forbes back for Cambridge's visit. The winger missed the short trip to Cheltenham following the Macclesfield win because of a bout of tonsillitis.

SWANSEA CITY midfielder Andy Robinson is on a mission to repay boss Kenny Jackett for standing by him - after fearing he had thrown his Vetch Field career away when he was arrested in a nightclub.

Robinson fell foul of the law and his employers last month when he was charged with committing a public order offence in a Swansea city centre venue less than three days before a crucial match at Darlington.

As well as being fined £300 by Swansea magistrates, the midfielder was docked two weeks wages by the club and publicly rebuked by his manager.

Football-wise, Robinson was dropped from Jackett's matchday squad for two matches before finding himself stuck on the subs' bench after coming back in from the cold.

So it is no wonder the Scouser was so relieved to finally return to the first XI against Macclesfield on Friday night - and end up playing such a key role in Swansea's 2-0 win.

"It was great to be in the starting line-up because there was a point where I thought it might not happen again," admitted Robinson, who hopes to help Swansea collect three more crucial promotion points at Cheltenham this afternoon after setting up both goals against Macclesfield.

He's keen to hit the headlines for the right reasons and banish memories of the incident that saw him get arrested after becoming irritated with doorstaff at a club on the Kingsway in Swansea.

"I'd been worrying that what happened that night might've cost me my place in the team for the rest of the season," Robinson said.

"When you do something as stupid as I did, you fear the worst.

"I came into the professional game late so I don't want to spoil things by doing something stupid.

"When you get the sort of negative publicity I've had, you just want to get out onto the pitch and let your football do the talking.

"Over the past couple of weeks, I've heard a lot of people talking about whether I was going to get that chance, and, luckily, I have.

"The club, the manager and the fans have stood by me and I want to repay everyone for that.

"I think I've started to do that with my performance against Macclesfield and hopefully I can continue to perform well in the last seven games of the season.

"It hasn't been much fun for me lately, but the troubles of last month are behind me and forgotten now, most definitely. The Kingsway? I don't even know where that place is!"

Robinson's recovery process should continue at Whaddon Road as Swansea aim to pick up a second Easter win after Friday's success ensured they remain in the hunt for automatic promotion.

Jackett's side are three points adrift of the coveted third spot and realistically need to pocket five wins from their last seven games to secure a top-three finish.

"We've been saying all season that we're capable of winning seven or eight games in a row, and now's the time for us to do it," said Robinson.

"It was a great night against Macclesfield at the Vetch and we're really looking forward to Cheltenham now."

Jackett, however, is mindful of what happened the last time Swansea claimed a morale-boosting home victory.

"A few weeks ago we did very well against one of our competitors for promotion, Scunthorpe, but fell flat on our faces at Notts County in the next game," said the Swans boss, whose only fitness concern for today's trip is Kris O'Leary after the midfielder suffered a dead leg on Friday night.

"We've got to make sure that doesn't happen again. This time, we've got to back up what was a good home performance against Macclesfield. If we don't, we'll be back to square one."

KENNY JACKETT believes the title is still there for the taking for Swansea City.
The Swans are right back in the chase after a convincing 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Macclesfield on Friday night.

Jackett hopes the priceless win will see the confidence flood back into the Swansea ranks after they moved to within three points of automatic promotion and with leaders Yeovil back in their sights.

Goals from Lee Thorpe and Paul Connor sealed the victory and Jackett admits he still has ambitions above mere promotion.

"The title is definitely still there for us if we want it enough but it is also there for a number of other clubs as well," he said.

"The players are not stupid; they know what's at stake. It's a difficult task but they know what the rewards could be.

"I couldn't say how many points it will take to win the title but 80 should guarantee us promotion, which is the most important thing to achieve this season."

Swansea travel to mid-table Cheltenham tomorrow knowing that with just seven games left any slip-ups could prove fatal.

Meanwhile, Leon Britton has pleaded with boss Kenny Jackett for one last chance to earn a new Swansea City contract.

The pint-sized playmaker's two-year Vetch deal expires in the summer and frustrated Britton admits that his 'uncertain' future is a cause for concern.

Swans supremo Jackett doesn't seem to be an admirer of the 22-year-old midfielder as Britton - in the same West Ham United youth team as Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick - is again on the substitutes' bench.

Said Britton: "It is hard when you're not playing and your contract is coming to an end. It is a worry as I've got a mortgage and bills to pay.

"I don't know where I'm going to be next season. All I can do is work hard and hope I can work my way back."

ON an evening when failure was not an option, Swansea City delivered their most important victory of the season to keep their automatic promotion dream alive.

The Swans had gone into this crunch League Two tussle knowing nothing less than a win would do, especially after Southend's 3-0 romp against Rochdale earlier in the day had increased the gap between them and the top three to five points. And Kenny Jackett's side did not disappoint, as first-half goals from Lee Thorpe and Paul Connor gave the Swans a precious victory to reduce the gap to three points following Scunthorpe's draw with Oxford.

There were strong performances throughout a much-changed Swansea side, Jackett's men dominating a promotion-chasing Macclesfield side who had previously suffered just one defeat in nine league matches.

Brian Horton's side's misery was compounded when their 24-goal top-scorer Jon Parkin was red-carded eight minutes before the end for violent conduct.

It was an ill-tempered affair, with Swansea picking up a series of needless bookings, but the only thing that will have mattered to Jackett and the bumper Vetch crowd is the three points that keep the Swans in the hunt for a top-three finish.

Another win at Cheltenham on Monday and the 80 points Jackett believes Swansea need to go straight up to League One will seem that much more achievable.

Encouragingly, the Swans boss could reflect on some fine performances last night from the likes of Roberto Martinez, Andy Robinson and his three strikers.

Both sides had found themselves outside the top three before kick-off, Southend's afternoon success elevating them two places to second and pushing Scunthorpe down to third.

But Swansea's need for a win was the most pressing, the club having surrendered their comfortable cushion inside the top three in recent weeks and slipped off the automatic promotion pace.

Some Swans fans had called on Jackett to shake up his team after last week's 2-2 draw at Northampton - and that's exactly what he did, making four changes to the side held at Sixfields Stadium.

In came Robinson and Lee Thorpe as Adrian Forbes and Kevin McLeod paid the price for some indifferent displays by being axed to the bench.

With midfielder Marcus Bean out injured, there was also a first start in four weeks for club captain Martinez, while Andy Gurney returned to the defence for Sam Ricketts, who was away on Wales duty.

The end product was an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation, though it was Macclesfield who launched the first raid of the night, Neil McKenzie's low pass into the box finding former Wales U21 striker Matthew Tipton whose close-range effort was scooped up by Swans keeper Willy Gueret.

But Swansea had an excellent chance of their own moments later when Trundle swivelled on the halfway line and sent the excellent Robinson scampering down the middle.

The Scouse midfielder, making his first start since his misdemeanours in a Swansea nightclub, moved the ball on to Thorpe but the former Bristol Rovers striker drilled his shot wide.

If Thorpe had been wasteful on that occasion, he was positively deadly on 25 minutes when he powered Swansea into a 1-0 lead. After winning a free-kick wide on the right, Robinson swung in a perfectly-weighted cross which Thorpe met with a towering header that keeper Alan Fettis had no chance of stopping.

The goal was greeted by a deafening roar, but the noise levels rose even further when Connor made it 2-0. Robinson was again the architect, winning possession out on the left before crossing incisively for the striker, who lifted the ball beautifully over Fettis and into the back of the net.

With the second goal helping to lift the tension in the stands, Kris O'Leary went for a third just before the interval with a shot that spun off the outside of his boot and forced Fettis into springing low to his left to make the save.

It had been a thrilling first half and the second period began in similar fashion when Connor had two wonderful chances to put the game beyond Macclesfield's reach.

The first one was difficult, Connor beating his man for pace but aiming his subsequent shot straight at Fettis after being pushed slightly wide.

But the former Rochdale man was handed a clean run through the middle minutes later after Thorpe stole possession from defender Dave Morley. This time, though, Connor stroked his shot disappointingly wide.

The bad-tempered Parkin was dismissed for a petulant kick at Izzy Iriekpen, as Swansea's disciplinary copybook was blotted by a collection of five yellow cards.

But nothing was going to stop the Swans fans from greeting the final whistle with another huge roar. Their dream is back on.

Three men have been charged in connection with racial abuse of black Swansea soccer players after a match in Oxford, police said today.

Detectives investigated the claims after the Oxford United Football Club versus Swansea fixture at the Kassam Stadium on December 8 2004.

Nigel Callahan, 40, of Falcon Close, Oxford, was charged with racially aggravated disorderly conduct, a police spokesman said.

Andrew Brown, 39, of Bosleys Orchard, Didcot, Oxfordshire, was charged with disorderly conduct, and David Payne, 24, of Bulan Road, Oxford, was accused of common assault.

They were bailed with conditions not to attend a designated football match until April 1 when they are due to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has made an appeal for calm as Swansea City get ready for their biggest league match in almost two years.

Few would disagree that tonight's promotion tussle with Macclesfield at the Vetch is Swansea's most important game since their momentous relegation-saving victory over Hull in May 2003.

While the stakes clearly aren't as high as Football League survival, few occasions since then have been as important - and, potentially, exciting - as the visit of the Moss Rose club.

Having slipped four points adrift of the top three with just eight games left, victory is essential if Kenny Jackett's side are to maintain a realistic chance of going straight up to League One.

The only problem is Brian Horton's men - with eight wins from their last nine matches - are showing no signs of relinquishing their grip on the third automatic promotion place that Swansea are so desperate to claim.

"It's one of the biggest games we've had for some time - perhaps the biggest since the Hull match two years ago," says club captain Martinez.

"And it's a game that has the potential to be in everyone's mind once the Vetch Field reaches an end.

"The Hull game was obviously much more important because the whole future of the club depended on that 90 minutes.

"Macclesfield is the biggest game we've had since then for a different reason.

"It's not a must-win match in the way Hull was, but a win is very important because of what it would mean for the rest of the season.

"I don't believe tonight's result alone will determine whether or not we finish in the top three. Maybe we could lose against Macclesfield and win the last seven to achieve that aim.

"But three points would be a fantastic psychological boost for the whole football club and set us up perfectly for the final push.

"We've got to try and ignore the league table at the moment. What's important is we find the kind of form, the level of performance that will enable us to achieve our dream.

"All teams have a little blip during the course of a season and we've had one lately.

"But now is the time - and it has to start against Macclesfield - for us to show our full potential.

"I still believe we've got the best squad in the division and if everyone performs to their full capabilities from now on, I think we will be OK."

The cynics would suggest a super-human effort will be needed if the Swans are to reach the 80-point mark boss Jackett believes they need to finish in the top three.

That translates to Swansea needing a minimum of five victories and three draws from their last eight games.

You can expect plenty of nails to be bitten away tonight, but Martinez has urged Swans supporters to make the Vetch an anxiety-free zone over 90 crucial minutes.

"Just like the Hull game, it's very important that everyone is right behind us," said the Spanish midfielder.

"What you don't want is any anxiety among the supporters transmitting to the players.

"When the anxiety creeps down to the pitch, everything becomes harder and sometimes the players can't express themselves as well.

"But the effect of having the fans right behind you is it takes a big effort from the opposition to then take the three points away from you.

"If you can work for 90-95 minutes with the fans giving their best support, you become a stronger side and one that's harder to beat."

Under the vastly experienced Horton, Macclesfield have maintained a season-long promotion push, and a 1-0 defeat at Northampton earlier this month is the only occasion they've dropped points in their last nine league outings.

"Macclesfield are certainly a team in form at the moment," said Martinez. "They've had a fantastic turnaround since last season, having signed a few good players.

"Many people are saying it'll be our toughest match of the season, but I think that's the kind of game we need to get a bit of confidence for the final push."

Unless Jackett decides to shake up his midfield - and he may have to if Marcus Bean and Adrian Forbes fail to recover from knocks they picked up in training - Martinez will again be among the substitutes.

With Sam Ricketts on Wales duty, Andy Gurney is expected to return to the Swansea defence.

Swansea City v Macclesfield - Your at-a-glance guide

Probable: Gueret, Gurney, Monk, Iriekpen, Austin, Forbes, Bean, O'Leary, McLeod, Trundle, Connor. Subs (from): Martinez, Thorpe, Britton, Robinson, Murphy, Jones.

Player to watch - Lee Trundle: Struck his 21st goal of the season last weekend and always thrives on the big-match atmosphere at the Vetch.

Probable: Fettis, Morley, Carragher, Barras, Welch, Harsley, MacKenzie, McIntyre, Potter, Tipton, Parkin. Subs: Whitaker, Bailey, Wilson, Miles, Townson

Player to watch - Jon Parkin: A rival to Swansea's Lee Trundle in the League Two scoring stakes, Parkin has struck 24 goals this season.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).

Form guide: The contrast in form between the two teams could hardly be more stark; Swansea have won just once in their last nine games, and Macclesfield have lost only one in nine.

Ian Hunt's verdict: Swansea to pull off a crucial 1-0 victory.

SWANSEA City manager Kenny Jackett is sweating on the fitness of three key players ahead of tomorrow's crucial League Two clash with Macclesfield. Adrian Forbes, Paul Connor and Marcus Bean are all struggling with injuries as Jackett looks for the victory which would close the gap on the third-placed Silkmen.

A win would put Swansea one point behind Brian Horton's team, but they could go into the clash without the influential trio. Forbes is the most doubtful, while Connor and Bean both pulled up in training yesterday. "Adrian got a knock on his calf early on at Northampton after a tackle with Josh Low," said Jackett. "He has feeling it ever since and at the moment he is struggling to be fit.
"Paul Connor has a back problem and Marcus Bean has damaged rib muscle. They had to come out of training, but I am hoping that they are not as serious. "It is a worry as we want every player available for what is a very important weekend for the club."

Despite the injury worries, Jackett does not expect any activity at the club before today's transfer deadline expires at 5pm. "At the moment I cannot see anything happening either in or out," he said. "We have had no enquiries about any players since Boston asked to speak to Brad Maylett."

Jackett also dismissed any speculation linking him with the Watford manager's job following the sacking of Ray Lewington. "I am very happy at Swansea," he said. "It's a terrific job. I was delighted to be offered it and I am delighted to be doing it now.

"We have a big job here now trying to get promotion and all I want to focus on is that." Swansea, meanwhile, are being given an extra 300 tickets for the Easter Monday clash with Cheltenham at Whaddon Road.

The game was made all-ticket for away fans and all of the original 1,200 sent to Vetch Field have been sold.

The extra 300 are on now on sale from the club ticket office in William Street.

Swansea defender Kevin Austin admits his side will have to be at their best when in-form promotion rivals Macclesfield visit the Vetch Field on Good Friday.
Brian Horton's side have enjoyed an outstanding season and recently climbed above Swansea into the automatic places.

However, the Swans have the opportunity to reignite their bid for automatic promotion with victory against the Silkmen in the crunch six-pointer.

Austin said: "It's a real six-pointer in so much that we can take three points ourselves with a win, and take three points off them, so it's a massive game.

"Brian Horton has done a tremendous job there after they narrowly avoided last season and we know that we are going to have to be on top of our game if we are to get the win that we need."

Kenny Jackett is tipping Sam Ricketts to make his competitive bow for Wales in Saturday's World Cup qualifying clash with Austria. The Swansea City boss expects one of the stars of the season at Vetch Field to face the Austrians at the Millennium Stadium after speaking to Welsh manager John Toshack.

Jackett enquired about Ricketts's international involvement with a view to recalling him for Swansea's League Two encounters with Macclesfield and Cheltenham over the weekend.

But he now expects Ricketts to add to the first cap he won in the friendly win over Hungary last month, possibly on the left side of Toshack's defence.

''I've had a chat with John and I did say to him that we have games on Good Friday and Easter Monday,'' Jackett said.

''John needed to get last weekend's matches out of the way to see where he stood with injuries as international squads often have to contend with a lot of withdrawals.

''He is aware of the games we have and the ball is really in his court, but I think Sam will probably play for Wales on Saturday.

''It certainly looks as though he will be involved in some capacity so we will be without him, but it's good news for Sam that he is doing well with Wales.''

Ricketts, 23, impressed as the Hungarians were beaten 2-0 and is poised to continue in Toshack's starting line-up in the continued absence through injury of Manchester City left-back Ben Thatcher.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club youngster Scott Thyer is hoping to clinch a transfer.
The White Hart Lane trainee has been told he will not be handed a contract with Spurs by manager Martin Jol, forcing him to look elsewhere.

And the Welsh Under-19 international has been handed a trial with his hometown club Swansea City, and will be hoping to earn a contract with the Vetch Field outfit.

YOU could have forgiven John Toshack if his mind wasn't entirely on the job as he supervised the Wales training session yesterday.
There he was, more than 20 years since he last pulled on tracksuit and boots to dispense some coaching wisdom at the old ground, back on the familiar soil of the Vetch Field in Swansea.

With Toshack's predecessor Mark Hughes having rarely taken the Wales squad far beyond their cosy Vale of Glamorgan retreat in the build up to games, it was a rare opportunity for the Swansea public to see the likes of Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies and, of course, local boy John Hartson right on their doorstep.

A few hundred hardy souls braved the filthy weather to come to the Vetch, collect autographs and watch their idols being put through their World Cup paces ahead of the double-header with Austria.

Even Swans stars Lee Trundle and Roberto Martinez had wandered down on their day-off to get a glimpse of the Premiership stars invading their patch.

So informal was the session that one star-struck lad took over from Paul Jones and Danny Coyne in goal to try and keep out a few practice shots from Robert Earnshaw.

Thwarting a hot-shot striker fresh from his first Premiership hat-trick last weekend? Come off it, lads. While the autograph hunters were roaming and the mobile phone-cameras were working overtime, though, Toshack was allowing himself the odd moment to wallow in a bit of nostalgia.

And who could blame him when, in just a few months from now, the ground that produced so many glorious footballing memories for him and countless other Welsh football followers will be reduced to rubble.

The Swans, of course, will finally say farewell to the Vetch this summer when they move to a plush new state-of-the-art arena a few miles up the road at Morfa.

So it was perfect timing that Toshack, also celebrating his 56th birthday yesterday, should have brought his new Wales team back to the cherished old ground for one final session - as well as being a clever PR exercise on the part of the Football Association of Wales, it might be added.

The Vetch has long since been abandoned as a venue for full international matches - Wales haven't played there since 1988, when they recorded a 2-2 draw with Finland in a World Cup qualifier. But when Toshack recalls his memories of the Vetch, you can be certain he's going back a lot further than that.

The former Swansea manager has had an unbreakable affinity with the place ever since scoring a hat-trick there on his debut for the Wales schoolboys side in 1964.

And, of course, there's a thing or two to cherish from the glory years with the Swans, whom he took from the old Fourth Division to the top of the First in front of disbelieving Vetch Field audiences.

Yesterday, Toshack was so inspired by his return to his former patch that he delivered something of a eulogy to the Vetch as he spoke to reporters on the edge of the pitch.

"Every day's a holiday - particularly when you can come and enjoy a training session like this down here," he enthused.

"This stadium has seen a lot of fine players. Probably more Welsh internationals have come out of this ground than anywhere else.

"We used to call them by their first names: John, Mel, Ivor, Len, Barry, Cliffy...

"There's only a couple of months to go before the place closes down for the last time so us training here is a bit of a testimonial, if you like, to what's been an historic football ground.

"Being back here has brought back a few memories for me and for one or two others as well. It's good to see so many people come down just to have a look."

As Toshack finished his informal press conference, a flurry of autograph hunters descended on Giggs and co before they headed down the tunnel and Earnshaw finished his target practice.

Awash for a few hours with some of the biggest Welsh stars in the game, the Vetch soon returned to normal.

It had been a long time since the Wales team had been seen in these parts.

As he stood in the centre circle, Toshack probably felt like he'd never been away.

Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett is expecting little movement at Vetch Field ahead of this week's transfer deadline. All Coca-Cola League clubs have a last chance this season to tinker with their squads before 5pm on Thursday.

But Jackett is predicting a quiet 48 hours at Swansea, with no new faces likely despite the departure of Brad Maylett for Boston last weekend.

And the chances of further farewells also seem fairly slim.

''At this stage I don't think there will be much activity,'' Jackett said.

''If I get a call or hear that someone has become available then I will treat that situation on its merits and I wouldn't say that I'm not looking.

''If someone suddenly comes up and they are within our budget then I can put the question to the chairman, but I'm not waiting on a phone call or following up a lead.

''I would be surprised if anything happens particularly in terms of players coming in.

''I'm really looking to settle down with the group of players I've got between now and the end of the season.

''As for players going out, again I will judge each case on its merits if somebody rings me up or makes a bid, but just now the lines are pretty dead in both directions.''

Jackett has taken Swansea-born youngster Scott Thyer on trial from Tottenham.

The Wales Under-19 striker, 18, has been told he will not be offered a professional contract at White Hart Lane come the summer.

Swansea expect No. 2 goalkeeper Brian Murphy to return to their squad for Friday night's crunch clash with Macclesfield.

They went without a back-up stopper at Northampton last Saturday after the Irish Under-21 international picked up a thigh strain.

Adrian Forbes should also be available to face Macclesfield despite taking a heavy knock on his leg at Sixfields which forced him out of training.

Player-assistant boss Kevin Nugent is back in contention after knee surgery, but Alan Tate is still struggling with an ankle ligament injury and is unlikely to be fit before April.

Kenny Jackett today played down claims by Rochdale boss Steve Parkin that Swansea City have benefited from Football Association of Wales bias. Parkin has launched an attack on the Coca-Cola League disciplinary system which sees Swansea - plus Cardiff and Wrexham - dealt with by the FAW rather than the English Football Association in the wake of Dale's 2-2 draw at Vetch Field last week.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the game, with Lee Trundle walking for a two-footed tackle and Paul Tait for raising an arm.

But while Tait is serving a three-match ban after the FA rejected an appeal, Trundle avoided a suspension after his appeal was upheld by the FAW.

Furious Parkin claimed Trundle was always going to get off because his case was heard in Cardiff rather than London.

But Jackett, who has not forgotten the hefty punishment dished out to central defender Garry Monk by the FAW earlier this season, believes his Spotland counterpart should get used to the system.

"Steve Parkin says it should be the same governing body for both clubs because we both play in the English league," said the Swansea boss.

"You could interpret that being dealt with by the FAW works for us, but we have interpreted that it has worked against us at times in the past,'' he added.

"Whether it does or not is a difficult one and I'm not really up for making judgements about how the system should work.

"I would just say that you accept the system and get used to it. I imagine people have been talking about this since the year dot, so I'll just try to live with it."

Parkin claims the incidents that led to the double red card are irrelevant, and that it is the "shambles" of the appeal system that upsets him.

He said: "If Swansea are playing in the Football League then all decision-making should come under the umbrella of the FA.

"If Swansea played in the Welsh League then that would be completely different. It would come under the Welsh FA and I could understand that.

"But to have a game played in the Coca-Cola League and then have two incidents seen by separate FAs is ridiculous.

"I mean no disrespect to the Welsh FA, but how are they going to find (the Trundle appeal) when they only have three teams in the league?

"Swansea have expectations for promotion and they are about to move into a new stadium. While they have tried to be objective with their decision, they will find it difficult not to find in favour of any Welsh club or player.

"I do think something needs changing. I've spoken to (Northampton manager) Colin Calderwood and I know Northampton are not happy about it, and I'm sure there are other teams around the top half (of League Two) who would be unhappy too."

Jackett, who protested Trundle's innocence from the start, reckons Dale could have few complaints about Tait's dismissal anyway.

He added: "There wasn't much contact, but their player did take a swing at Andy Gurneyand when you raise your arm at an opponent you are always open to being sent off."

Lee Trundle insists Saturday's 2-2 draw at Northampton could prove the catalyst for an end-of-season run which will carry Swansea City to automatic promotion. Trundle entered the Swansea record books as he became the first player from the club to break the 20-goal barrier in league matches since Bob Latchford in the 1982-83 season.

He is the ninth Swansea player to achieve the feat since the Second World War and he now has 21 in all competitions.

Trundle rescued a point for Kenny Jackett's side with a 70th-minute tap-in after an excellent run and cross by Paul Connor.

His fellow striker had given Swansea the lead in the 30th minute with his 12th strike of the campaign.

But defensive lapses allowed the Cobblers to strike back and two goals in 10 minutes from Martin Smith and Andy Kirk put Colin Calderwood's side in front.

Swansea showed a fair degree of determination to mount a second-half comeback and Trundle believes that should spur his team-mates in the remaining eight games.

''Our away form has not been good and we lost four on the run before this one,'' he said.

''Coming to a hard place like this and getting a draw does help with the confidence. It's probably one of the most important goals I have scored for Swansea, especially as it meant we came from behind to get a point.

''Although we have fallen behind a bit now, we came here, got a draw and we can build on that and go into Friday's game against Macclesfield and go for a victory.''

Trundle admitted he was delighted to reach the 20-goal mark.

But he was more interested in how the team would perform during the promotion run-in and he says a top-three spot still has to be the target.

''We fell away last season and we don't want that again,'' he said.

''After being in the top three for so long, to drop into the play-offs would be a blow to us, although we would still have a chance of going up.

''We want to do it automatically and that's what we are aiming for.

''We cannot go out and say we are going for a play-off place. We have to go out and get an automatic spot.

''We know we have to go on a good run, but with the players we have we know we are capable of doing that.

''We shouldn't be afraid to go out and express ourselves and know that we can go out and get those six wins.''

Jackett agreed with Trundle that the top three is still his target, saying: ''It's a tall order, but it's still possible.

''Should we get on a real winning sequence then that snowballs.

''I don't feel that anybody, my players, the staff or the supporters should be looking at anything negatively whatsoever.''

Swansea City's reserves take on Bristol City at Vetch Field tonight in a Pontin's Holidays Combination clash. Kick off is 7pm.

LEE TRUNDLE had personal cause for celebration on Saturday after becoming the first Swansea player to score 20 league goals in a season for 22 years.
Remarkably, the last Swans player to find the net 20 times in the league was Bob Latchford way back in 1982-83.

Trundle ended the long wait to see who would match the former Everton and England striker's achievement when he salvaged a crucial point 70 minutes into Saturday's 2-2 draw.

"I can't remember Bob that much," smiled the Scouse striker. "But I know he was a great centre forward so it's a nice honour for me to hit the 20-goal mark like him.

"It's hard to believe no Swansea player had scored 20 league goals in a season for such a length of time. But the special thing about achieving it here is I think this was one of the most important goals I've scored this season.

"The goal has helped us to get an important point.

"The aim now is just to score as many as possible. I'm level with last season's tally - 21 in all competitions - and with eight games left, hopefully I can beat that."

Not for the first time this season, Trundle was on hand to rescue Swansea from a defeat that would've left the Vetch Field side five points adrift of third place and facing an uphill battle to clinch automatic promotion.

As it was, the former Wrexham striker's goal leaves them four points shy of third-placed Macclesfield whose visit to the Vetch on Friday could now make or break Swansea's chances of going straight up to League One.

"As a group of players, we definitely believe we can still get into the top three - it's a waste of time even going out to play if you don't think that," insisted Trundle, even though Swansea will need to win at least five of their last eight matches to realise their automatic promotion dream.

He added, "We know we're going to need a really good run to achieve it, but with the quality of players we've got in the squad, I think we're capable of doing it.

"We're still one of the best sides in the league so we shouldn't be afraid of going out and expressing ourselves knowing we can get six wins from our last eight games.

"To pick up a point at a difficult place like Northampton after being 2-1 down will give us a bit of extra confidence to take into the Macclesfield game.

"At least we've got the opportunity to take three points off Macclesfield when they come to the Vetch on Friday."

Trundle says Swansea aren't even contemplating the play-offs.

"Finishing in the top seven would still give us a chance of promotion, but there's no reason why we should settle for that," he said.

"We're good enough to win automatic promotion and that's what we're going for. Having spent so much time in the top three this season, that's where we're determined to finish."

GARRY MONK made a case for the defence after Swansea's once-watertight backline leaked another two goals at Sixfields Stadium.
The reputation Swansea earned in the first half of the season for being miserly at the back is fast diminishing as Kenny Jackett's men continue to concede soft goals and struggle to keep clean sheets.

With so much at stake over the last eight games of the season, unsurprisingly, Monk is keen to ensure a return of the defensive stubbornness that formed the bedrock of Swansea's success earlier in the campaign.

"We're desperate for a few clean sheets again," said the former Southampton defender, who captained Swansea on his return to the side following a back problem.

"As a group of defenders, we've had a chat about the situation, about how we can get back to performing as we did at the start of the season.

"But it doesn't always just happen when you try to put it into practice."

Though Monk hasn't always been present, missing a handful of games through injury and suspension, Swansea have conceded 13 goals and kept just two clean sheets in their last nine League Two outings.

It's no coincidence that in that time, Swansea, who shipped two goals at Sixfields after failing to deal with two crosses into the box, have gone from enjoying a six-point cushion inside the automatic promotion zone to trailing the top three by four points.

So why have Swansea started to ship goals?

"I don't think it's through a lack of effort or commitment," insists Monk.

"I just think we've been lacking that little bit of concentration that's needed at vital times. It's a degree of sloppiness on our part.

"We're disappointed to have conceded another two goals. Northampton produced two good crosses, but we could've dealt with them a little bit better.

"But we're working hard to stop those sort of things happening and hopefully we'll cut them out in the next few games. The most important thing is we win games.

"Against Northampton we showed we can come back from a deficit and finish strongly. I think we were a bit unlucky not to nick a third goal.

"Even though we're disappointed not to win, you can't underestimate this point.

"This is the best Northampton have played for a while, so for us to stand up and be counted and come on strong in the second half is a credit to us."

Monk also defended Swans keeper Willy Gueret after the Frenchman appeared at fault for Northampton's first goal, allowing midfielder Martin Smith's low shot to wriggle underneath him and into the back of the net.

"Willy feels he should take the blame, but the players haven't got a problem with him," said Monk.

"He's been tremendous for us all season and if the goal was his fault, surely you're allowed one mistake a season?"

KENNY JACKETT insisted Swansea City could still clinch automatic promotion - even as a place in the top three moved further from their grasp.
Top-scorer Lee Trundle was Swansea's saviour again as the Scouse striker salvaged a point from a tense promotion tussle to end a dismal run of four consecutive away defeats.

But Trundle's 21st goal of the season was not enough to prevent the top three fading further from Swansea's view as victories for promotion rivals Macclesfield and Southend left Kenny Jackett's side four points adrift.

It means that if the Swans are to reach the 80-point target Jackett has set for them going straight up to League One, they will need to collect 18 points from the last 24 available.

Jackett, though, believes it can be done.

"It is a tall order but I honestly believe we can still get there.

"We're the sort of side that can go on an excellent run and win our remaining games.

"Perhaps the fans will go home believing it's the play-offs for us now, but I still believe it's open at the top.

"We're four points away and we've got Macclesfield at the Vetch next Friday. We need to put another winning sequence together and that could have a snowball effect."

It seemed Swansea might be on course for a win when the impressive Paul Connor gave them a 30th-minute lead with his 12th goal of the season. But poor Swans' defending allowed Northampton to turn the tie on its head, Martin Smith and Andy Kirk scoring inside six minutes to give the Cobblers a 2-1 half-time lead.

Despite performing some way below their best, Swansea managed to dominate the second period and snatched a crucial point when Trundle bundled home Connor's cross with 20 minutes to go.

"We showed a lot of character to come back and get a point and that's something we can build on," insisted Jackett.

"It's pleasing to have put our bad away run behind us against a good Northampton side. I know results have gone against us but this is a good point."

Jackett had made just one change to the side held to a 2-2 home draw against Rochdale last weekend, Garry Monk, who'd missed two matches with a back complaint, returning to the Swans' back four at the expense of Andy Gurney.

The first-half was as frantic and as keenly fought as you would expect for two sides desperate to keep their respective promotion pushes bubbling.

Frustratingly for the visitors, it was Colin Calderwood's play-off hopefuls who were in the ascendancy for most of the opening 45.

The home side were menacing on the break and did a better job of retaining possession, threatening Willy Gueret's goal as early as the third minute when Scott McGleish drove narrowly wide from 10 yards. Pedj Bojic even found enough room to meander forward from his right-back station to test Gueret's handling skills with a piercing long-range effort.

Swansea had to wait until the 20th minute for their first chance - and it was a chance that went begging, Adrian Forbes slicing a close-range effort wide after Connor teased the ball across goal.

Three minutes later, Gueret made a fine save from David Rowson before Swansea nipped in front.

Trundle turned inside his full-back before finding Connor with a cute reverse pass. He advanced past the last defender to slide home from eight yards.

But Swansea's lead lasted only four minutes as the Cobblers proceeded to claim the goal their efforts deserved.

Jackett must have winced in his technical area as first Swansea failed to clear a corner, and then Gueret allowed the unmarked Smith to profit with a low drive from a tight angle that squirmed under the Swansea keeper's body.

Marcus Bean fired wide for the Swans following a darting run through the middle - and Northampton's response was to race up the other end and make it 2-1.

There was more defensive dithering from Jackett's men as Williamson floated in a delicious cross from the right and Kirk outjumped his markers to glance the ball over a Swans' keeper stranded in no-man's land.

Eighteen minutes into the second period and Izzy Iriekpen came agonisingly close to making it 2-2 when his downward header from Kevin McLeod's cross was superbly palmed away by keeper Lee Harper.

But Harper was helpless to stop Trundle from claiming a crucial Swans' leveller on 70 minutes, the Scouser bundling Connor's cross home after squeezing between two defenders.