Swansea's play off hopes are dealt another blow after a late goal sinks them at Ashton Gate

REPORT - Wales Online

SWANSEA CITY'S play-off hopes were dealt another blow as Nicky Maynard's late strike punished a poor performance and secured victory for Severnside rivals Bristol City.

In a desperately poor game that neither side deserved to win, Maynard made the most of some great work from Ivan Sproule to tap home an 84th-minute winner. Looking tired and short of ideas, the Swans could have little complaint as their top six finish begins to look increasingly precarious.

With the disappointing Gorka Pintado wasting their only real chance of the game, Paulo Sousa's men were unable to test the hosts' defence. Bristol weren't much better but the difference was the ability to make the most of their one moment of magic.

While much of the game offered little in the way of entertainment the Swans at least made a bright start as they looked to build on Monday's 3-0 win over Scunthorpe. Andrea Orlandi drove into the hosts' box and, when he laid the ball off to Darren Pratley, it took a good block from Paul Hartley to deny the midfielder.

The Robins then showed they would be a threat on the break as Maynard sprung Swansea's offside trap before slicing wide. The striker had another chance 15 minutes later when Jamal Campbell-Ryce caused chaos in the Swans box but, after Garry Monk blocked Danny Haynes shot, Maynard scooped the rebound wide.

The best chance to break the deadlock fell to Pintado on the half-hour mark when a good passing move put him clean through on goal. The Spaniard couldn't make the most of his opportunity though and, as Stephen Henderson raced off his line, he dwelled on the ball and the Robins keeper was able to get in a good block.

It was to prove a decisive miss as a poor game waited until the second half for another sight of goal. Even then, after Monk fouled Nicky Maynard just outside the Swansea box, Hartley curled his effort well over.

Both managers then used their full allocation of substitutes to try and breathe new life into their teams. But, with chances still few and far between, it initially looked like the changes would have little impact.

But then Sproule, on for Campbell-Rice after 66 minutes, swung the balance firmly in the Robins favour. The skilful winger cruised past David Edgar on his way to the by-line and, as he rolled the ball across the box, Maynard was left with the simplest of tap-ins to seal all three points and leave Sousa's men fearing their play-off dream could be slipping away.

Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swansea-city-fc/2010/04/10/late-goal-devastates-swansea-91466-26215428/?

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