Swansea 0 Bristol Rovers 1

Last updated : 26 December 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Swansea suffered a gloomy Boxing Day as they lost the battle of the league's bottom sides against Bristol Rovers.

The Swans held a one point advantage going into the match but it was the visitors who had something to celebrate at Christmas as Paul Tait's 30th minute strike saw them climb off the bottom.

The Swans were full of gusto in the opening exchanges with Leon Britton and Mark Richards both going close.

But Rovers counter-attacked well and found themselves a goal to the good when Danny Boxall created space for Tait to fire past Roger Freestone.

The visitors almost improved their lead before the break when Graham Hyde's shot beat Freestone but not full-back Terry Evans, who cleared off the line.

Swansea were struggling and they failed to make much of an impression early in the second half until defender Chris O'Leary forced a save when he connected with a Paul Reed corner.

The relegation-threatened Swans weren't helped when official George King waved away two penalty appeals, one of them looked a certain spot-kick when top scorer James Thomas appeared to be pulled down as he rose to meet a Britton cross.