Swansea City manager Russell Martin blamed referee Darren Bond for losing with literally the last kick of the game last night against Sheffield United. This loss though was harder to take than the other capitulations so far this season as the swans should have been out of sight with the amount of chances spurned throughout the game.

Once again it was a story of missed chances after a competent and well managed game on the pitch by the swans and that’s what hurts the most. Numerous opportunities were not taken in the first half, and a golden opportunity thrown away when Oli Cooper squared his pass in front of goal instead of shooting. Russell Martin wasn’t scathing but these situations happen in the vast majority of the swans games this season. "It was a really good game. We didn't start very well, but I was really pleased with our reaction, we looked really dangerous, on the counter in particular. We have to make the most of the big chances we had. We're 45 seconds away from everyone feeling positive against a team who are top of the league and free-scoring. We went toe to toe with the team at the top of the league, the players were great for so long and we end up getting beaten. I trust Kyle. He's clipped his heels. The boy's not meant to but Kyle has run across him. It is a foul. It's the easiest decision the referee has got to make all night. It's the 94th minute, the guy's running back towards his own goal, he clips his heels, just give the free-kick. It's really not difficult."

It was another story of what might have been but managers of teams playing Swansea this season will take them on knowing the Achilles heel in this swans side is time. Or should we say the time that is added on rather than the ninety minutes. No arrow was shot when Kyle Naughton was out paced by Rhian Brewster who squared for substitute Reda Khadra to fire home the winner. Martin continued. "We have to make the most of the big chances we had. We should score tonight, we should score more against Stoke, we should score more against QPR, we should score tonight, we don't and we pay the price for that. We're 45 seconds away from everyone feeling positive against a team who are top of the league and free-scoring. Steven [Benda] had one save to make in the first half, apart from that we've not been tested at all. "I trust Kyle. He's clipped his heels. The boy’s not meant to but Kyle has run across him," added the head coach. “Even before that we had a chance - it just shouldn't get to that point. They clear, they have one guy with three or four of ours, and just a bit of hesitation, then we allow the pass back inside.It is a foul. It's the easiest decision the referee has got to make all night. It’s the 94th minute, the guy’s running back towards his own goal, he clips his heels, just give the free-kick. It's really not difficult. But he hasn’t given it. We should still deal with the aftermath of it. We don’t and everyone feels completely different about the performance than they did 30 seconds previously.”

Despite bemoaning the referee and yet again reflecting on what a bizarre season the swans are having this was again another loss and another game thrown away. These are very odd times at the swansea.com and with one more game to come before the international break questions will continue to be raised as to the managers ability to transfer his beliefs off the pitch to winning games on it. Hull City are the visitors on Saturday with a 12.30pm kick off.

Swansea City: Benda; Wood, Naughton, Cabango; Sorinola (Stevens 70), Allen, Grimes (C), Manning; Fulton (Ntcham 64), O Cooper (Paterson 64); Piroe.

Subs not used: Fisher, Darling, Cundle, Oko-Flex.

Sheffield United: Foderingham; Basham, Egan (C), Ahmedhodzic; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Doyle (McAtee 74), Norrington-Davies; Ndiaye (Khadra 82), McBurnie (Brewster 74).

Subs not used: Amissah, Brooks, Gordon, Jebbison.

Goal: Khadra 90+4

Yellow cards: Ahmedhodzic 48

Attendance: 15,458

Referee: Darren Bond 6/10 : Was he really to blame for that late late goal ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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