The Swans Under-21s continued their pre-season programme with a hard fought draw against Newport County at Rodney Parade.
The visitors took an early lead as James Loveridge saw his shot deflect in off a defender, before the Blue Square Premier outfit turned the game around with goals from Aaron O’Connor and Jefferson Louis.
Swansea started the second period well and got back to level terms when Lee Minshall headed into his own net from Rory Donnelly’s right wing cross.
The game then opened up as both sides went in search for a winner, Josh Sheehan coming closest for the Swans as he saw a shot tipped away by the keeper while County substitute Lee Evans hit the crossbar.
The Under-21s now turn their attention to Sunday when they face Welsh Premier League side Llanelli at Stebonheath Park (kick-off at 2.30pm).
Swans: David Cornell, Daniel Alfei, Scott Tancock, Darnel Situ, Curtis Obeng, Lee Lucas, Henry Jones, Alex Bray (Luke Llewellyn, HT), Josh Sheehan, James Loveridge, Rory Donnelly.
Unused subs: Nathan Waters, Sam Evans, Cory Francis, Tom Ateyo, Oliver Davies.
Newport: Pidgeley, Pipe, Hughes, Porter, Minshall, Harris (Swallows, 74), Thompson, Flynn (Charles 61), Sandell, Louis, O’Connor (Evans, 61).
Unused subs: James, Cooper, Charles, Evans, Swallow, Jones, Holmes, Perry.
Attendance: 891
The Swans got off to a perfect start as they took the lead in the opening three minutes when James Loveridge cut in from the left flank to fire a deflected shot past the helpless Lenny Pidgeley.
However, it wasn’t long before the home side drew level as an inswinging free-kick from the left wasn’t cleared by the Swans defence and former Luton star Aaron O’Connor was on hand to turn and fire past David Cornell.
This sparked County into life and they nearly went ahead after 14 minutes as Ryan Charles spun inside the box before firing in a volley that Cornell did well to hold.
But just three minutes and Justin Edinburgh’s side were in front as David Pipe’s low cross from the right was turned home by Jefferson Louis.
And the former Oxford striker nearly grabbed his second just moments later but he was denied by a fine stop from Cornell after being put through by Jake Thompson.
Chances were at a premium for the visitors, however, and the closest they came to drawing level in the opening period was when Loveridge saw an effort fly past the left-hand post on the stroke of half-time.
Half-time: Newport 2 Swans 1
The Swans made one change at the interval as young Luke Llewellyn replaced Alex Bray, and the visitors started the second period brightly.
James Loveridge saw another one of his efforts deflect off a defender and onto the outside of the post before the Swans did manage to draw level in bizarre fashion.
After a corner from the right wasn’t cleared away by the County defence, Rory Donnelly saw his cross from the corner of the box headed into his own net by Lee Minshall.
Shortly after the visitors could have gone in front as Josh Sheehan shrugged off a challenge in midfield before curling a wonderful shot that Pidgeley did well to tip away for a corner.
This provided a wake-up call for the hosts and they replied well as substitute Ryan Charles poked into the side netting before Louis saw a good strike parried away by Cornell.
On 65 minutes Newport had a great chance to go back in front as Jake Harries volleyed inches wide from Andy Sandell’s superb cross from the left, while Loveridge tested Pidgeley once more at the other end as the keeper parried his curling effort behind.
By now the Swans were playing with a great degree of freedom and they had two chances to grab a third goal as Loveridge shot a fraction over from 20 yards before Donnelly shaved the right-hand post after cutting in from the right flank.
But the home side were always looking dangerous going forward and they came a whisker away from taking the lead on 82 minutes as substitute Lee Evans struck the bar with a wonderful curling effort.
And as the game entered stoppage time, Newport had a wonderful chance to win it as Louis headed the ball across goal for Evans but he couldn’t turn it in at the back post.