Report | Preston North End 2 Swansea City 1
Goals from Thierry Small and Milutin Osmajic saw Swansea City fall to defeat against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Small opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the early stages of the first half, with Osmajic netting shortly after the restart to give the in-form hosts all three points.
Swansea had their chances; Liam Cullen, Cameron Burgess and Adam Idah going closest, and got a goal back through substitute Jisung Eom.
But a late comeback was not to be for Alan Sheehan’s side, who also had two penalty appeals waved away.
Sheehan had handed a first Championship start to Melker Widell, while Cullen had also come into the team as Jisung Eom and Ronald dropped to the bench.
The opening minutes were cagey aside from Widell nearly picking off a loose pass from Daniel Iversen in the Preston goal.
But the hosts opened the scoring with a spectacular strike from Small.
The Swans had managed to nod an attempted knocked out of their own area, only for Small to arrive and dispatch a brilliant left-footed strike across the face of goal, just beyond the despairing dive of Lawrence Vigouroux, and just inside the far upright.
Swansea nearly opened up a chance to respond immediately, a slick move ending with Widell just being unable to bring in a firm Cullen pass when unmarked arriving into the area.
Cullen was involved again as he ran onto a cleverly-disguised Ben Cabango pass, but he could not beat the last man.
Idah was next to find space, stepping away from his marker to advance into the right side of the area. He had Widell in support but took the ball on further and then saw his cross blocked by Iversen.
Swansea then had what looked a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Cullen was caught by a studs-up challenge as he prepared to shoot.
Idah then fired wide from the edge of the box following Galbraith’s lovely run and pass as the Swans ended the opening half the stronger side.
Cullen was denied by Iversen after a ricochet had fallen to him as he burst into the box but the visitors remained behind at the break.
The Swans had made all the running over the final 30 minutes of the opening half, but they fell further behind less than five minutes after the restart.
Swansea had been on the attack but a long clearance downfield suddenly left Osmajic one on one with Josh Key, and the striker was able to get the better of the defender and fire home.
Burgess nearly replied instantly, smashing a thumping volley towards goal that Iversen acrobatically tipped over.
The hour mark came and went with the Swans still searching for a route back into the game, with Preston happy to sit off and look for opportunities to counter.
Idah headed wide as he met a deep cross under pressure at the far post, before the Brazilian had a strike deflected wide after a good run and hold-up play by Vipotnik.
However, they did get a goal back when Eom got the ball on the left, cut inside, and sent a low curling shot into the far corner with Iversen rooted to the spot.
There were still 10 minutes plus stoppage time to play and the Swans pressed forward as they sought a dramatic equaliser.
And they were denied what looked a clear penalty in the final minute of the 90 as a grab on Ronald went unpunished as the Brazilian appeared to be pulled to the ground.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Ben Cabango (captain), Kaelan Casey (Ishe Samuels-Smith 69), Cameron Burgess; Josh Key (Ronald 60), Goncalo Franco (Jisung Eom 76), Ethan Galbraith, Josh Tymon; Melker Widell (Zan Vipotnik 60), Liam Cullen (Manuel Benson 76), Adam Idah.
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jay Fulton, Malick Yalcouye, Ricardo Santos.
Preston North End: Daniel Iversen, Ben Whiteman (captain), Harrison Armstrong (Stefan Thordarson 54), Liam Lindsay, Jordan Storey, Andrew Hughes, Lewis Dobbin (Mads Frokjaer 54), Alfie Devine (Michael Smith 68), Thierry Small (Jamal Lewis 69), Milutin Osmajic, Odel Offiah.
Unused Substitutes: Jack Walton, Jordan Thompson, Noah Mawene, Ed Nolan, Max Wilson.
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Attendance: