Planet Swans ArchivesTen-man Swansea City produced a performance full of courage and character to battle back for a point against Gillingham last night – but Andy Robinson fluffed the chance to win it with the last kick of the game.
Roberto Martinez’s team might have seen their five-game winning streak come to an end, but in a sense this display was just as pleasing as one of their recent triumphs.
But the cruel finish to a remarkable game left something of a sour taste as Robinson saw his 95th-minute penalty saved and then sent the rebound straight down keeper Simon Royce’s throat.
Swansea still deserve the plaudits for carrying the fight to Gillingham despite being a man down for 67 minutes after Warren Feeney’s first red card for six years.
Paul Anderson eventually cancelled out Delroy Facey’s wonder strike, but the win Swansea deserved went begging as Robinson made a rare mistake.
This was Swansea’s first home league outing for a month, and the challenge laid down by Martinez was to overcome opposition his side were expected to beat at kick-off.
The Spaniard has highlighted the club’s relatively poor return on their own patch since they moved to the Liberty.
Swansea had won only marginally more than 50 per cent of home league games since leaving Vetch Field, and Martinez is aware that record must improve if they are to mount a successful promotion bid this term.
Ideally he would have kept the same side which won at Yeovil last weekend to face the Gills, but Ferrie Bodde’s hip injury meant a rare start in central midfield for Leon Britton.
Gillingham arrived with new boss Mark Stimson looking to inspire an upturn in away form in his game in charge.
The Gills came to Wales after six defeats from six trips in League One this season, with just one goal scored and 18 conceded.
It should have been 19 after five minutes last night.
After Britton had collected possession and fed Tom Butler down the left, the winger cut inside in what is becoming trademark fashion and fired a 20-yard shot which Royce should have gathered.
When he fumbled, Feeney followed up but could only shoot straight at Royce.
The Gills would take full advantage of the let-off, snatching the lead in spectacular style when a hopeful punt forward was only half-cleared by Dennis Lawrence.
He steered the ball into Facey’s path, and the journeyman striker unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive which arrowed onto the far post and into the net.
The goal came against the run of play, yet stunned Swansea almost gifted the Gills a second when Garry Monk’s weak pass let in Gary Mulligan.
Fortunately for the Swansea skipper, the angle was awkward and Dorus de Vries palmed Mulligan’s effort to safety.
Swansea surged back into it, Darren Pratley trying to do a Facey with a long-ranger which Royce tipped over the bar.
Martinez lost Marcos Painter to injury – then things really started to go wrong.
Feeney dived in for a loose ball and left Gills left-back Simon King in a heap. Deeming that the on-loan Cardiff striker had gone in with two feet, referee Stuart Attwell flashed a straight red card.
A man down and a goal down – this was not going according to plan.
Things could have got even worse when Nicky Southall’s free-kick – given for another decision which didn’t go down well with the natives – reached Mark Bentley at the back post, but De Vries saved Swansea.
Martinez switched to three at the back before the break, Angel Rangel pushing up to the right flank of a four-man midfield with Butler slotting in behind Jason Scotland.
Swansea kept on trying to play their passing game, piling the pressure on the visitors early in the second period.
The home crowd thought they were level when Anderson’s curling corner swung all the way into the net with the aid of a deflection off Efe Sodje.
But the increasingly unpopular referee halted Welsh celebrations by whistling for a push.
Swansea pressed again, Britton forcing a fine save from Royce, then Scotland inadvertently steering Anderson’s 20-yarder into the keeper’s arms.
The home side were certainly not being helped by Mr Attwell now, the Warwickshire official making a couple of astonishingly bad decisions as Martinez’s men poured forward.
Swansea continued to dominate, with substitute Robinson forcing another fine stop from Royce.
The rebound crept just over Anderson’s head and the hosts cursed their luck once more.
The young winger’s time would come.
Only 11 minutes remained when Britton played a clever ball to Pratley. The two central midfielders had combined admirably all evening, and this was their best effort yet.
Pratley’s drilled centre eluded Darryl Duffy, but Anderson arrived at the far post to sweep home his seventh goal of the season.
Substitute Duffy lashed wide as Swansea surged forward in search of the winner, then Britton’s nimble footwork drew a trip from Southall and handed them a golden chance.
Robinson struck the spot-kick well enough, but Royce was the hero on a night when it was Swansea’s who merited all the pats on the back.
