Swansea City 2-1 Preston North End: Jamie Paterson's last-gasp goal gives the Swans a valuable win

Jamie Paterson has scored four goals in his last seven league games

Managerless Swansea City claimed only their third home win in the league thanks to a 95th-minute goal from Jamie Paterson.

Paterson had brought a dreary game to life after an hour with a first-class finish from a lovely pass from Matt Grimes.

But the goal sparked a response from Preston and Liam Millar's equally precise strike equalized for Ryan Lowe's side just seven minutes later.

Sections of the home fans raised sounds of protest against the club's American owners – represented at the Swansea.com Stadium by chairman Andy Coleman – and the game appeared to be heading for a draw, but the mood changed when Liam Cullen Paterson served and Another cool finish condemned Preston to defeat.

It wasn't an easy evening for interim head coach Alan Sheehan, who has been in charge since Michael Duff's sacking 18 days ago, but Swansea were shining in the end after triumphing on home soil for the first time since early October.

But there was more frustration for Preston coach Lowe, whose side have lost five of their last seven games after appearing keen to secure a fighting point.

Preston's great start to the season is now fading in memory, with the Lilywhites falling to ninth in the Championship while Swansea have moved up to 15th.

This was a clash between two clubs needing a result, with Swansea previously winless in six home games and Preston reeling after their own difficult run continued with a home defeat to Watford last weekend.

Lowe responded to this defeat by making six starting changes, including goaltender Dai Cornell.

Cornell, a Swansea academy product, made the only save of note in an uninspiring first half, beating Jamal Lowe after strong work from Liam Walsh.

Swansea midfielder Walsh was one of the few players who seemed capable of providing a spark and he was involved once again before Jay Fulton's shot was directed into the net by Jamal Lowe.

This time the offside flag saved Preston.

Swansea couldn't muster the pace or accuracy to regularly trouble Preston, while the visitors' best moment before the break was a long-range shot from Robbie Brady that fired past the far post.

Liam Millar's goal was his second since joining Preston on loan from Basel

Preston's first real threat came just before the hour mark when Ched Evans' crisp shot was deftly saved by Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Nevertheless, there was a lack of fluidity on both sides – until the hosts finally managed a moment of quality.

After Josh Key's cross was half-cleared, Grimes delivered a lovely lofted ball to Paterson and his first-time finish was too much for Cornell.

Preston equalized when Evans' cross flew past everyone and reached Millar, who came on as a first-half substitute for the injured Brady.

He overcame Harry Darling's challenge before turning the ball inside Rushworth's far post.

The draw looked certain until Liam Cullen picked up a loose ball and fed to Paterson, who steadied himself before rolling the ball deep into the far corner.

Swansea interim head coach Alan Sheehan:

“I'm happy about the win. Winning is a good habit in the championship. We weren’t good enough at home.”

“In an ideal world you want to put in a great performance and win the game, but we did enough to win the game.”

“Were we fluid? Probably not. They are a physically demanding team and you have to deal with that. We tried to get into the thirds. We didn’t really hit the pace we wanted.”

“Sometimes you have to assert yourself and two moments of absolute quality from Jamie Paterson win us the game.”

Preston manager Ryan Lowe:

“I'm disappointed. It's still raw. I’m disappointed that we just didn’t manage to get a point.”

“We are disappointed with the first goal. We left him unmarked in the penalty area and he scored a good goal – you can’t leave good players unmarked.”

“On the second point we know that we should pass forward and play with percentage. We were undone by one of our own mistakes.”

“First of all, I need to step up because I feel like I’m letting people down. I have to bear the brunt, I am the coach. We'll be there tomorrow afternoon and I need to get the players up.”

Lineups

Swansea

formation 4-2-3-1

22Rushworth

6Treasure5Think33Humphreys14Tymon

4Fulton8thGrimes

2Key28Walsh12Paterson

10Lion

• 22Rushworth
• 6TreasureReplaced byYatesat 69'protocol
• 5ThinkBooked for 38 minutes
• 33Humphreys
• 14TymonReplaced byWoodat 82'protocol
• 4Fulton
• 8thGrimesBooked for 30 minutes
• 2KeyReplaced byNaughtonat 82'protocol
• 28WalshReplaced byBolasiat 69'protocol
• 12PatersonBooked for 42 minutes
• 10LionBooked for 32 minutesReplaced byCullenat 88'protocol

Substitute

• 1Fisherman
• 7Allen
• 9Yates
• 17Bolasi
• 18personal
• 20Cullen
• 23Wood
• 26Naughton
• 31cooper

Preston

formation 3-4-2-1

21Cornell

14floor6Lindsay16Hughes

44Potts13McCann18Ledson11Brady

25Holmes8thBrowne

9Evans

• 21Cornell
• 14floor
• 6Lindsay
• 16Hughes
• 44Potts
• 13McCannBooked for 45 minutes
• 18Ledson
• 11BradyReplaced byMillarat 45+1'protocol
• 25HolmesBooked for 74 minutesReplaced byFrokjaer-Jensenat 77'protocol
• 8thBrowneReplaced byWood fireat 90+4'protocol
• 9EvansReplaced byOsmajicat 77'protocol

Substitute

• 1Woodman
• 4White man
• 7Keane
• 10Frokjaer-Jensen
• 20Wood fire
• 23Millar
• 26However
• 28Osmajic
• 33Preferably

Referee: Robert Madley

Number of visitors: 15,098

Live text

1. Match ends: Swansea City 2, Preston North End 1.

2. Second half ends, Swansea City 2, Preston North End 1.

3. Offside, Swansea City. Jerry Yates is offside.

4. Offside Preston North End. Brad Potts is offside.

5. Goal! Swansea City 2, Preston North End 1. Jamie Paterson (Swansea City) hits with his left foot from the center of the penalty area to the bottom right. Supported by Liam Cullen.

6. Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

7. Foul by Ali McCann (Preston North End).

8. Substitution Preston North End. Ben Woodburn replaces Alan Browne.

9. Attempt failed. Matt Grimes (Swansea City) tries with his left foot outside the penalty area, but the shot goes high and wide to the left.

10. Foul by Liam Cullen (Swansea City).

11. Liam Lindsay (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. Offside Preston North End. Liam Lindsay is offside.

13. Foul by Bashir Humphreys (Swansea City).

14. Brad Potts (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

15. Attempt failed. Ali McCann (Preston North End) tries with his right foot outside the penalty area, but the shot goes high and wide to the left. Supported by Alan Browne.

16. Substitution Swansea City. Liam Cullen replaces Jamal Lowe.

17. Delay over. You are ready to move on.

18. Game delayed due to injury to Mads Frökjaer-Jensen (Preston North End).

19. Substitution Swansea City. Kyle Naughton replaces Joshua Key.

20. Substitution Swansea City. Nathan Wood replaces Josh Tymon.