Football: Flynn wants a double delight

SWANSEA survived a late blitz to inch closer to survival.

And manager Brian Flynn admitted: "I look on it as a point gained. It could prove vital by the end of the season.

"We've four games left and I believe that two wins would guarantee our safety and keep us in the league next season."

His side had to defend for their lives in a frantic last half hour as Scunthorpe - needing the points themselves to boost their promotion challenge attacks with such ferocity that by the end they had forced a staggering 20 corners.

But their only reward came after 75 minutes when captain Peter Beagrie, the Swans chief tormentor, left defender Lee Jenkins trailing again before firing over a low cross.

For once that Swansea defence which had battled so hard was caught out as Paul Hayes rolled the ball on for sub Martin Carruthers to prod home his 18th goal of the campaign.

Maybe Scunthorpe did deserve something for that spirited fightback. Yet Swansea, playing with real purpose and passion, could easily have had the points wrapped up inside that opening hour.

They were ahead after just 14 minutes when Lenny Johnrose met a corner from man-of-the-match Roberto Martinez with a powerful header that Scunthorpe keeper Tom Evans could only parry.

As the ball broke lose Marc Richards reacted sharply to turn and steer his shot inside the far post.

With Martinez the dominant force in midfield, the Swans continued to dictate before the break.

Scunthorpe were almost gifted a goal on the stroke of half time when Swansea defender Michael Howard clearly handled but referee Alan Butler let play continue.

Furious Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws strode onto the pitch to confront the referee and had to be restrained by his own coaches.

"Everyone in the ground must have seen it. You might as well have put a pair of gloves on him and called him the goalkeeper," said Laws later.

If luck favoured Swansea on that occasion, maybe that's just the break they need to go on to end this traumatic season with a smile.

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