Swansea City 1-0 Huddersfield Town: Deflected Manning strike hits Terriers' survival hopes

Ryan Manning (centre) celebrates with his team-mates after his shot deflected beyond a helpless Tomas Vaclik

Neil Warnock's Huddersfield Town revival suffered a setback as the relegation-threatened Terriers were beaten 1-0 at Swansea City.

Ryan Manning's deflected shot secured deserved victory for a Swansea side who have found late-season form.

Huddersfield's first defeat in six games leaves them a point outside the Championship relegation zone in 19th.

Swansea remain in mid-table having stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.

Russell Martin's team have taken 13 points from the last 15 on offer to pull clear of a potential relegation scrap in some style.

But Huddersfield remain firmly in the fight to stay up with just four games of their traumatic campaign to come.

Warnock has restored belief since taking charge of a team who were 23rd when he was appointed in February.

Millwall, Middlesbrough and Watford have all been beaten during a fine run in which Huddersfield have had minimal possession, but plenty of threat, yet their attempt to strike on the counter failed against Swansea.

The hosts might have gone ahead in the first half when Ben Cabango headed Manning's inviting cross against the post and Liam Cullen could not react quickly enough on the rebound, the ball hitting the striker and bouncing wide.

Olivier Ntcham drilled another opportunity over from just outside the area, although Huddersfield gave us good as they got when the chance came to get forward before the break.

Swansea were worried when Jack Rudoni helped a corner back across the face, but Michal Helik headed wide.

Ben Cabango's towering first-half header beat Huddersfield keeper Tomas Vaclik but came back off the post

There was a further let-off for the hosts when Danny Ward picked out Jaheim Headley, but he smashed a volley over when a more delicate touch might have brought the opening goal.

On the touchline, Warnock held his head in his hands. His team's big moment had come and gone before half-time.

Swansea's domination of possession continued throughout, with Morgan Whittaker going close when his shot was well blocked by the sliding Headley.

Huddersfield's resistance was finally broken when Luke Cundle laid off neatly for Manning and his shot ricocheted high into the net, with Jonathan Hogg getting the last touch.

Swansea very nearly doubled their advantage when Joel Latibeaudiere drove wide, but the near-miss counted for little as Martin's side secured a fourth clean sheet in five matches with relative ease.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"I'm really pleased with the players. Huddersfield were excellent with what they did and we knew they'd make it difficult, watching their previous games and the run they have been on.

"They probably had one really good moment in the game where the guy volleys over from a throw-in. It took a lot of concentration to make sure we didn't give them too much.

"The patience we showed in the game - I think if we have a little bit more composure and calm in the first half, we could have more opportunities. But I love the fact the lads were relentless in the second half.

"It's very difficult against a team who go man-to-man and leave very little space. It becomes about how hard you work in your position and there was loads of good stuff."

Huddersfield manager Neil Warnock:

"It's what we expected. We knew we wouldn't have much possession. But I just said to the players, the possession is pointless at times so let them have it. We had our best chances first half and if we take one it changes the whole game.

"To get beaten by a deflection that's going miles wide is soul destroying. I didn't see them scoring - I thought they had run out of ideas.

"From my point of view, they are giving me absolutely everything. I am pleased as punch with the effort.

"If you had said to me we would be in the position we are in, I would probably have thought you had been smoking something. We are in a decent position and now we have got to finish it off."