Russell Martin | I am so proud of this team

Russell Martin was a proud man after watching his Swansea City side produce an excellent second-half performance and earn a point at Huddersfield.

The Swans, playing their first league game for five weeks and on a run of four defeats in all competitions, fell behind to Danel Sinani’s 15th minute strike.

But they responded superbly and got their rewards when Flynn Downes netted his first goal for the club with 12 minutes to go.

The Swans could have emerged with all three points were it not for the inspired form of Terriers keeper Lee Nicholls, while Ben Hamer made a handful of magnificent stops of his own for the visitors.

And head coach Martin could not hide his delight at how his side had responded in adversity against a play-off chasing Huddersfield side on a fine run of form.

“We could maybe have had all three points, and if we had scored a winning goal I don’t think anyone could have considered it unjust,” said the Swans boss.

“I am so proud of the players, how they performed and the response they showed in the second half. I’m also proud of our fans and the part they played in it.

“It was a big day for us, I think. We had been on a run of three bad results, four if you include the cup game.

“We had not played in front of supporters for five weeks, we have not had a full training group for five weeks and it has been a really difficult time.

“You throw in the transfer window going on and maybe some of the guys not sure about their futures.

“So, I understood why we were tense for 15 or 20 minutes, and we conceded a goal in that time.

“But then Ben Hamer made a really big save and from then on I thought we were great, starting with that last 20 minutes of the first half.”

And Martin also praised the way his squad took onboard the half-time message to play with greater intensity and authority on the back of a good spell during the latter part of the first half.

“We just felt we needed to free ourselves up a bit in the second half and play with a bit more belief, which is what we asked them to do at half-time,” he added.

“The intensity and courage they showed in the second half was incredible and they deserved that goal, we created numerous chances, their keeper made a lot of saves and that second half is where we need to be all the time.

“It is not easy and we were playing a team in good flow, who were well prepared for us but we got up to speed with the game and there were so many great performances.

“I am just so proud of the guys we brought up here in stopping the run of results, and to do it in that manner was incredible.

“I hope the supporters are as proud of their team as I am today, because they were fantastic in cheering us on and we cannot wait to see them again at home next week.

“We have something to build on."

Martin also confirmed that Jake Bidwell was absent from the matchday squad as discussions are taking place over a potential transfer for the defender.