Basement boys Swansea City condemned Darlington to their second successive defeat with a narrow 1-0 reversal at Vetch Field last night.

Kevin Nugent's first half strike was enough to hand Brian Flynn's side a valuable three points in their battle to beat the drop. On a frustrating evening for Quakers, The Swans' will to win was evidently greater than that of their Third Division rivals and ultimately earned them a fully deserved win.

Ian Clark returned to the side following Richard Offiong's return to Newcastle last week while former Quakers striker John Williams was named on the subs bench for the home side, who also included recent signing and former Hartlepool man Lenny Johnrose in their line-up.

Darlington whose last win over the South Wales club came in a 3-2 win at Feethams back in 1997, made a bright start with Ashley Nicholls looking lively in midfield.

However it was the home side who produced the game's first chance in the ninth minute when Nugent chested down neatly for Leon Britton who scuffed a tame effort wide of Andy Collett's goal.

Minutes later a strong run from Richard Hodgson down the left eventually fell to Barry Conlon from a Clark flick-on but the former Southend striker's hooked shot failed to trouble Roger Freestone in the Swansea goal.

Nicholls then tried his luck, when after a poor clearance from Freestone, spotted the Welsh keeper of his line only to send his lob well over the crossbar and into the 40 or so travelling Quakers fans.

Collett was then called into action in the 26th minute when he was forced to tip away Kieron Durkan's deep cross under pressure from a cluster of players. Defender Jason Smith picked up the loose ball but his weak toe poke was easily easily dealt with by the recovering Collett.

Urged on by a vociferous home support Swansea, fresh from an impressive draw at promotion-chasing Rushden almost carved an opening again through Durkan, whose cross from the right was well read by Whitehead.

The home side continued to press forward and they took the lead in the 37th minute when Nugent grabbed his third goal in as many games.

The forward, making only his fourth start since joining on loan from Leyton Orient, was in the right place at the right time to steer home Durkan's cross despite Quakers skipper Craig Liddle's attempted goal-line clearance which the assistant referee adjudged was over the line.

The second half began at a fast and furious pace and defender Simon Betts was lucky to get away with a ticking off from referee Frazer Stretton when he wiped out Nugent down the left flank.

In the 51st minute pint-sized playmaker Leon Britton weaved his way through the Quakers defence before dinking over a cross for James Thomas who was well beaten to the ball by Liddle.

Welsh Under-21 defender Ryan Valentine earned himself a booking in the 56th minute for a foul on Durkan and the resulting free-kick, taken by Durkan, was flashed wide by the head of Thomas.

At the other end Conlon almost drew his side level only to see his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Michael Howard. Not for the first time in the evening Britton dazzled his way forward before sending a looping effort over the crossbar.

With just one goal separating the sides Quakers were by no means out of the contest and, after good work by Nicholls down the right, the former Ipswich man squared across for Betts, who controlled before driving just wide with 14 minutes remaining.

Mark Sheeran was introduced for Clark with just over ten minutes left but Swansea hung on to claim a valuable three points and consign Quakers to another defeat

Result: Swansea 1 - 0 Darlington

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