Scotland earns Swans replay

Swansea dominated the first half but went in at the break a goal behind following captain Garry Monk's unlucky own goal.

But top scorer Jason Scotland restored parity seven minutes into the second half to force a Craven Cottage replay.

The first half should have belonged to Swansea so slick was their passing and movement. Left winger Mark Gower must have been particularly aggrieved going in 1-0 down at the break after he was twice denied the opening goal by the slenderest of margins.

The game was less than four minutes old when he cut in from the flank and exchanged passes with lone frontman Scotland to give himself a clear sight of goal.

His shot was a calm one, struck low and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer but instead of nestling in the net it struck the inside of the far post and Gower was quickly crowded out as he tried to reach the rebound.

Another great chance came Gower's way in the 25th minute after Angel Rangel, back in the Swans defence following suspension, powered his way down the right flank and fired in a cross. Gower arrived unchallenged to meet it in the six-yard box but somehow Schwarzer stuck out a hand to bat it away.

Its worth doubled a minute from half-time when Swans defender Ashley Williams conceded a corner that Paul Konchesky floated into the box and while it did not look particularly dangerous Swans goalkeeper Dorus de Vries failed to deal with it and the ball bounced over the line off the hip of home captain Monk.

The second period was just a few minutes old when Schwarzer denied Gower again, tipping a rising drive onto the bar when Scotland had once again been instrumental in the build-up.

The forward decided to take matters into his own hands and made it 1-1 from the next attack, recording his 17th goal of the season turning Aaron Hughes before drilling the ball into the corner.