Vitor Matos | I am proud of the the effort and personality the players showed

Head coach Vitor Matos spoke of his pride at the efforts of his Swansea City side after they suffered late heartbreak in defeat against Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

The Swans had made the better start in the west Midlands, missing a penalty and hitting the post. However, they were reduced to 10 men 26 minutes in following Marko Stamenic's challenge on Ethan Laird, and within a handful of minutes Jay Stansfield had put the hosts ahead.

But the visitors battled bravely, keeping themselves in the contest and offering a threat even with fewer numbers on the field.

They were rewarded when Christoph Klarer turned a Josh Tymon corner into his own net, only for a deflected Stansfield strike from a set-piece in the final minute of the 90 to give the home side the three points.

It left the Swans ruing a late goal after also being denied a share of the spoils at the death against Portsmouth in midweek.

But Matos could not have been more proud of how his side had performed.

"I felt we started the game very well, we showed big personality and we were playing the way we want to play," he said.

"After the red card, it was very hard for us, and then we conceded almost straightaway.

"We know Birmingham are a good team, and even more difficult to face with 10 men, but I felt the effort and personality we showed - and the quality to be in a position to get something out of the game - was there and I am really proud of my players and I think everyone should be.

"I think in this moment we have to understand that it is not always an easy journey, but the character, the personality and the effort is there. That is what I wanted to see, and it is why I am proud of the players."

Matos also felt the decision to send off Stamenic was incorrect, feeling the New Zealander had played the ball.

"Ultimately it is the referee's decision to make, so I do not want to speak about that," he added.

"But if you want to ask my opinion, I do not think it is a red card. Marko makes contact with the ball and there is no direct contact with the player.

"It is a strong challenge, but if we go back to some of our last games, we had a lot of strong challenges that ended up with some of our players being injured.

"There is nothing much more I can say, but we were able to stay competitive in a tough stadium like this even with 10 players."