Swansea City came back from two goals down to hammer home their promotion credentials in a devastating display of finishing at the swansea.com stadium last night. It was as much a surprise to see Reading take a two goal lead as it was for the swans to not be at least two goals up when the first away goal hit the back of Steven Benda’s net.

But missed decisions from the officials once again spoiled this encounter, for Swansea at least.

The game started, or should we say didn’t when the stadium lights failed to stay on at the start of this encounter. With the lights going out it seemed so did the referee’s own personal ability to see an obvious decision as Swansea went for the royals throats from the restart.

The swans started so brightly a home win seemed a nailed on cert, however as we know that’s not how it works in the championship. Despite a positive run of games in the Swansea goal Steven Benda again let in two to compliment the four he conceded at Burnley. That’s six in two games but the positives are that Swansea have won five in six of their fixtures in the championship promotion race. This morning there are four teams on twenty four points in the championship, Swansea in seventh but literally separated from third place by the finest of margins.

It was a very frustrating first half with the swans being denied numerous penalty shouts by referee Andy Davies, although whatever you read in other reports that could well have been James Bell. Apparently Davies involvement in the sending off of Joel Piroe on Saturday at Burnley and Swansea’s potential appeal put the match official appointment in doubt. Without being disrespectful on the night the officiating was clumsy and at best laughable as the swans dominated possession and were denied some very obvious decisions by a referee who looked well out of his depth.

Swansea had five shots on goal and converted three and dominated much of the game with seventy four percent possession over the whole match. Russell Martin went with similar changes to those he made for the last home game against Sunderland and despite failing to take numerous chances in the first half it eventually paid off. Once again Harry Darling scored as the swans took advantage of Andy Parslow’s (restart coach) ability to spot an opportunity from a set piece. Matt Grimes the provider, the swans captain avoided any form of card to assure his appearance in Sundays derby game. Darlings glancing header definitely made up for his defensive error when Reading doubled their first half lead through Yakou Meite. To say there’s as a degree of foul play in the Reading forward gaining an advantage would be an understatement. That goal doubled the royals lead when Tom Ince seized upon some typical Swansea defensive mayhem to put his side ahead.

The comeback began with Darlings glancing header and maybe Russell Martin has had yet another reminder on his best selection in midfield when in the second half Oli Cooper bagged his second goal of the season. He cleverly fired home Swansea City’s equaliser. The swans were worthy of the three points and any other result would have been a sad return for the home sides graft and energy. The best chances fell to Michael Obafemi whose failure to score last night is an ominous omen for Cardiff on the weekend. He is now very much due a goal.

Cabango too showed far more competency compared to the frightened defender we saw on Saturday, a return to a far more composed, thoughtful and decisive game that we all expect from him. The omission of Ryan Manning hopefully means he is now in line for a derby day return to add to the missing steel and positivity on the Swansea left. However, it was last seasons forgotten man, Jay Fulton, the player who was sent to Coventry ( that’s another story) last season who popped up with a stunning strike with fifteen minutes to go. Gathering up possession he rifled home a low and well struck drive in to the away sides net to secure the points for the swans. It was no more than the home side deserved, and on any other day it would have been a victory of a far bigger margin.

Russell Martin has often found a winning game hard to come by after a decent run of wins and then a defeat.Tonight that was put to bed as Swansea once again displayed their tough edge and fighting spirit. These are the credentials required when your backs are against the wall especially in a league as tough as the championship. The swans now have a few days off before they take on Cardiff City on Sunday, a side that have beaten Swansea City only once in the last seven meetings.

Swansea City: Benda; Wood (Oko-Flex 46) (Stevens 87), Darling, Cabango; Latibeaudiere, Fulton, Grimes (C), Sorinola; Cundle (Naughton 81), O Cooper (Ntcham 90+2); Obafemi (Cullen 90+2).

Subs not used: Fisher, J Thomas.

Goals: Darling 41, Cooper 60, Fulton 74

Yellow card: Latibeaudiere 65

Reading: Lumley; Mbengue, Yiadom (Rahman 56), Holmes, McIntyre, Hoilett; Fornah (Ejaria 62), Loum (Carroll 78), Hendrick; Meite (Joao 62), Ince.

Subs not used: Bouzanis, Long, Guinness-Walker.

Goals: Meite 26, Ince 33

Yellow card: Yiadom 45

Attendance: 15,717

Referee: Andy Davies 3/10 : useless

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls