Northampton 2 Swansea 2

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.

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.

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.

Report: Wales On Sunday

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