The on-loan Arsenal midfielders 20-yard effort would, however, be not enough to stop a chorus of boos from the home faithful frustrated at the latest drop of points at home this season.
Things could not have started worse for the home side with Ben Cabango slicing full back’s Jaheim Headley dangerous cross into his own net to give the visitors the lead in just the third minute.
The story of the tape though despite fighting till the end would be the home side would fail to test visiting keeper Chris Maxwell enough to earn the three points. A less than satisfactory result for the Jack Army.
The Swans would be sharper in their build-up play and would be dominant throughout, however, with just under 80% possession and 19 corners lacked a clinical edge in front of goal.
After losing 2-1 at Elland Road in midweek, the Swans looked to improve on a bad run of form which has only seen one victory in their last seven matches.
Results elsewhere had seen Michael Duff’s side fall to 18th place in the league table one point and three places above today’s opponents and just four points outside of the relegation zone.
Whilst performances in spells had been good with the Swans taking the lead in 11 out of their 18 matches this season, only four have been converted into victories as the mini-revival under the Northern-Irishman has somewhat stalled.
Last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Hull being a perfect example with Duff bemoaning the timings of conceding goals with the visitors scoring straight after the break to turn the game on its head. A similar factor occurred in Yorkshire on Wednesday night with Leeds taking the lead just on the stroke of half-time with the Swans enjoying their best spell of the match.
Swansea’s head-coach chose to make three changes for the match-up with the Terriers bringing in Kyle Naughton in place of Josh Key, whilst there would also be a first start of the season for midfielder Liam Walsh, with Liam Cullen preferred to Jerry Yates.
Visitors Huddersfield ended a poor run of six games without a win with defender Michal Helik amongst the goals for his fifth of the season in the 2-1 victory at Sunderland to boost their survival hopes after picking up just one victory in 11 EFL matches.
Manager Darren Moore made two changes to his side with Danny Ward coming in to make his 250th appearance for the club to bolster the Terriers midfield. Japanese international striker Yuka Nakayama also making a start in place of Delano Burgzorg.
After calling for his side to ‘play with tempo’ to break down a stubborn Huddersfield side, the Swans would start the brighter of the two sides coming out the blocks with intent with a neat passing movement in midfield seeing Naughton’s cross from the right recycled by Jamie Paterson back into the box but not finding a white shirt.
The Swans would be punished for indecision at the back, however, moments later as it would be the visitors who would take the lead with their first attack.
Full back Jaheim Headley pushing forward would find space down the left-hand side to cross looking to pick out an attacker but under pressure, it would be Cabango who would miscue his defensive clearance to slam the ball into his own net past a helpless Carl Rushworth.
The Swans would dominate the possession in search of an opening. Against a well-drilled Terriers side used to sitting off the ball waiting for the chance to break, the likes of Cullen and Jamal Lowe would be isolated.
It would be Cabango who would show the first signs of coming close to an opening looking to redeem his earlier error at the midpoint of the half. The Welsh international centre half though would only be able to head Walsh’s cross over the Huddersfield crossbar following a Swans corner.
The Swans would start to work their way into the game and with sharper passing would come more opportunities to shoot at goal. Cullen showing a neat touch to spin his marker on the edge of the box to turn and shoot just wide of visiting goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s near post.
It would take till the half-hour mark though for their first effort at goal. A driven half volley from Walsh would end straight into the arms of Maxwell from 25-yards following a Swans corner as Duff’s side continued to probe without a clinical edge.
The home side would toil and would have their best chance of the half minutes from the break. The lively Paterson picking the ball up 20-yards out from Walsh’s backheel, feeding Jay Fulton with a defensive splitting pass between the two Huddersfield centre halves. The Swans midfielder’s shot, however, would only find Maxwell in good form to get down low to make a smart save.
Looking for change Duff made a triple substitution at the break bringing on new signing Yannick Bolasie for his home debut, whilst top scorer Yates entered the fold with the Swans looking for a focal point in their attack.
Bolasie would be straight in the action dribbling down the wing before crossing in search of Yates. The former Crystal Palace forward though would only find Maxwell who would be alert to clear the danger.
Bolasie’s arrival would signal a change in what had been a somber atmosphere in the first period. A shot from 20-yards flying over the crossbar, but a signal of intent to the home faithful of a greater attacking threat.
The Congo international would come close once more, cutting inside two defenders before unleashing a powerful effort inches wide of Maxwell’s post, as the Swans would look the more likely scorer as the half wore on. Darling also rising high to meet Walsh’s corner but would be unable to hit the target.
The pressure would pile on the Huddersfield goal and the visitors would be in debt to Maxwell to keep their lead intact. The experienced Welshman making a splendid reaction save with his legs to deny Fulton’s powerful effort from 12-yards.
The Swans would push and with time running out it would look like defeat would be on the cards for Duff’s men. Substitute Patino would think otherwise, dramatically striking from 20-yards from Paterson’s lay-off to earn his side a point deep into stoppage-time.
Darling could have yet earned the win for the home side heading over the bar, but the scores would finish level.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
