SWANSEA CITY edged past managerless Hull City last night to extend their unbeaten run to six games and move into the top half of the table for the first time since September.

The promotion-chasing Tigers - who arrived at The Vetch 48 hours after sacking manager Brian Little - started strongly and pegged the Swans back for much of the first-half.

But Steve Watkin popped up in the 84th minute to land Swansea a deserved victory after manager Colin Addison switched to a three-man strike force in the second period.

Thousands of stay-away supporters took advantage of reduced admission prices to make a return, 5,006 people generating an atmosphere which has been missing at The Vetch ever since controversial former chairman Tony Petty left.

But the fans are no closer to knowing whether Addison and his assistant Peter Nicholas will be at the club next season.

The duo's Swansea futures were discussed as part of a management committee meeting yesterday, but the club had no news to release last night.

However, the presence of ex-Swans midfielder John Cornforth - now Exeter City manager and one of several former players linked with a return to the Vetch - certainly set tongues wagging.

But it was normal service as Addison named an unchanged side from that which claimed a dramatic 2-2 draw against high-flying Scunthorpe United on Tuesday.

Hull started vigorously and provided Swansea with a scare 22 minutes in the game. Cutting down the left, Gary Bradshaw supplied the overlapping Richard Sneekes whose close-range effort was superbly blocked by Roger Freestone.

The goalkeeper - playing his 490th Swans league game to go second in the club's all-time appearance list - then watched former West Ham striker Gary Alexander drill a 20-yard ball just wide of his right-hand post.

Swansea had to wait 33 minutes before having their first shot on target. But Tigers goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite was perfectly placed to gather Mamady Sidibe's effort after the Frenchman had played a neat onetwo with Steve Brodie.

Swans midfielder Jonathan Coates came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 43rd minute when his cracking left-footer from the edge of the 18-yard box struck the woodwork.

For the second successive match, Addison changed the formation after the interval and replaced Brodie with John Williams to create a three-man attack. The change paid dividends as Swansea began the second-half in a more menacing fashion. Defender Neil Sharp came closest to opening the scoring with a 15-yard volley which was bundled out for a corner by former Port Vale 'keeper Mussel-white.

Twelve minutes later Chris Todd headed against the crossbar after Steve Watkin knocked Williams's long throw-in into the six-yard area.

Andrew Mumford, who snatched a late point for the Swans against Scun-thorpe with a David Beckham-like free-kick, had another spectacular 30-yard effort pushed away by Mussel-white.

But Hull's defence finally collapsed in the 84th minute when Watkin put Swansea ahead. The striker headed in his eighth goal of the season from Ryan Casey's inswinging corner to grab the Swans three points and deepen Hull's misery.

SCUNTHORPE manager Brian Laws could face punishment from the Football Association for suggesting referee Andy Hall engineered Swansea City's late equaliser in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at the Vetch.

The FA is waiting for the Birmingham official's match report before deciding whether to discipline Laws, who had to be restrained by players and stewards at the final whistle.

The former Nottingham Forest player was furious over Hall's decision to award the Swans a 93rd-minute free-kick which was rifled in by Andrew Mumford.

After the game he launched a stinging attack on the official, accusing him of costing Scunthorpe two points.

"It seemed he (Hall) was trying hard to give Swansea a result," said Laws. "There was no contact whatsoever and he's given a corner. It led to a free-kick at the edge of the box. It's like he was trying to give Swansea a last chance to have a go at us."

Added Laws, "Games are won by decisions, and we lost two points through decisions that were very, very dubious."

It is not the first time Laws has sparked controversy for his furious after-match reactions.

When he was in charge of Grimsby Town in 1996, Laws famously fractured the cheekbone of Ivano Bonetti - now the manager of Dundee - after the Italian threw a chicken leg at him following a 3-2 defeat by Luton Town.

Laws escaped punishment, but he and Bonetti were forced into making an embarrassing public apology to each other.

Meanwhile the man who denied Laws a Vetch victory, Andrew Mumford, has joined the chorus calling on Swansea to extend the contracts of manager Colin Addison and his assistant Peter Nicholas.

"They've both done a tremendous job to keep the spirit high in the dressing room through all the problems," said the Swans defender.

Addison and Nicholas will meet the committee to discuss their futures before the Swans entertain Hull City tomorrow.

Hull last night parted company with manager Brian Little after less than two years in charge at Boothferry Park.

A statement on the club's official website from chairman Adam Pearson read, "It is with great disappointment that I have to announce the departure of manager Brian Little and his two assistants.

"Following a meeting it was decided that Brian Little and Hull City AFC should part company with immediate effect."

Former Aston Villa, Wolves, Leicester and Stoke manager Little took up the Tigers' reins in April 2000.

The Swans have slashed admission prices for the game after only 3,085 people turned up against Scunthorpe.

Entry to watch Swansea face The Tigers is £10 for adults and £5 concessions for all seating areas, standing on the North Bank or East Terrace will cost £5 or £3.

SWANSEA City's owners have slashed ticket prices for Friday's meeting with Hull City in a bid to boost the club's ailing crowds.

The consortium of local businessmen which ousted Tony Petty last month had hoped fans would flock back to Vetch Field following the hugely unpopular chairman's departure.

The biggest gate in the four home matches since he left was 4,060 for the visit of leaders Plymouth - which was boosted by 500 away supporters - hence the generous admission prices for Friday's Third Division clash.

''Tony Petty has gone now, and we have all been very disappointed with the crowds since we took over, '' said management committee member Huw Jenkins.

''So we have decided to cut prices for the Hull game in the hope that it will produce a bumper attendance.'' After just 3,085 turned up for the visit of Scunthorpe last night, of which half were pre-paid season ticket holders, fellow committee member David Morgan added: ''We have done our bit, but the fans have not done theirs.

''The team need their support, and more importantly the club needs the revenue.

''We realise that in weeks like this one, it is difficult for some fans to pay for tickets for two matches and that is part of the reason for this gesture.

''We would be most grateful if all Swansea supporters could respond by coming along and backing us on Friday night.

''They have to realise that the club is not out of the woods yet after the Petty era, and that without fans' help now, it could be that there is no club left to support in Swansea.'' Morgan said the directors thanked the hardcore of Swansea supporters who turned up each match but he said it was vitally important that others joined them.

''If we were playing West Ham the people of Swansea would be in a queue all night to guarantee a ticket, where are they now?'' he added.

''If gates do not improve then there may not be the possibility of seeing the likes of West Ham again.

''It's imperative to get fans back into the habit of supporting their local club at home again.'' As Colin Addison's side bid to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches against Hull, all terrace tickets will cost just £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. Seats will be £10 and £5.

For the Hull game the kids for a quid scheme will be replaced by this onematch deal.

SWANSEA is claimed to be a hot-spot for sports-related racist incidents.

The Kick it Out campaign, which aims to stamp out racism in sport, believes it is winning its battle in other parts of the country.

But it has highlighted The Vetch and Ninian Park in Cardiff as places where it is struggling to eradicate the problem.

Campaign national co-ordinator Piara Powar said there were complaints earlier in the season when the Swans played Jamaica in a friendly.

''We think there is a problem at Swansea and Cardiff and we have had reports of racist abuse at both of these stadia, '' he said.

''Earlier in the season we had a couple of reports that fans of the visiting Jamaican team were abused outside the stadium.

''Members of right-wing organisations were gathering outside pubs and abused people from Jamaica after the game.'' In 1999 a Swansea City supporter from Townhill was jailed for a year after running on to the pitch with his fists clenched during a game against Brighton.

He confronted Brighton's Michael Bennett - the only black player on the pitch and shouted racial obscenities at him.

Following that incident the club placed an open letter in programmes warning fans that racism on the terraces would not be tolerated.

Swansea City spokesman Peter Owen said the club had worked hard to stop a racist element creeping in to the ground.

''We did have a slight problem with racist literature in the ground last season and we asked our stewards to look out for it, '' he said.

''Thankfully it never reappeared.

''But no problems were brought to us after the game with Jamaica.'' The claims follow an incident on the rugby field last Saturday when a Bonymaen player was accused of making an alleged racist remark to a Newport opponent.

The victim of the alleged comment was Samoan-born scrum-half Ofisa Tonu'u, who has also played for New Zealand.

Bonymaen officials have since suspended their player, who has not been named.

SWANSEA City boss Colin Addison challenged his side to go unbeaten until the end of the season after their dramatic draw with Scunthorpe last night.

Addison's revitalised team did enough to beat the promotion-chasing visitors but in the end needed a stunning 93rd-minute free-kick from Andrew Mumford to gain a share of the points.

After Gareth Phillips had equalised Alex CalvoGarcia's opener, Brian Laws's men looked to have sneaked a win thanks to Brian Quailey's goal in the penultimate minute of normal time.

But youngster Mumford fired spectacularly into the top corner with the last kick of the game to extend Swansea's run without defeat to five matches.

They now lie 15th in Division Three, 11 points short of the play-offs with just 10 games remaining.

For Swansea to extend their season by reaching the top seven now would take a minor miracle, but Addison has urged his players to give themselves a chance.

''It's nice to stretch the run to five, but we want to try to go unbeaten between now and the end of the season, '' he said.

''It will not be easy and we do not know whether we will, but that has to be the aim.'' To do so, Swansea will need to eradicate the defensive errors which so nearly saw then defeated last night.

''We have been conceding sloppy goals all season, and we conceded two more against Scunthorpe, '' added Addison.

''We should have been 3-1 up long before they got their second goal, and when it came Roger Freestone should have done better.

''He may have been struggling with an injury and he may have been blocked, but he knows he should have dealt with the cross.'' Addison, out of contract in August, hopes to have his future - along with that of assistant Peter Nicholas - sorted within the next 10 days.

Come and join us - we still need you

Tonight sees the kick-off for Trust Talk, a new fortnightly feature which will keep everyone up to date with the activities of the Swansea City Supporters' Trust. It will cover issues ranging from membership to fund raising, future plans, and what progress is being made in achieving the aims of the Trust in supporting the Swans and the Community.

So far the Trust's activities have been very much focused on securing a position on the main Board of Swansea City Football Club. As you may know, Leigh Dineen, Trust Chairman, has been appointed as a member of Swansea City's Management Committee, pending the eventual formation of a Board of Directors. This is a huge achievement in the short life of the Trust, and all members can be proud that they now own a part of the Swans.

The next step is to secure this position on the Board for life, and to achieve this, the Trust needs to raise a further £10,000 by the end of March. With this in mind, an exciting end of season raffle has been organised in conjunction with Ken Thorne World Of Cars. The prize is a Kia Rio car, with tickets costing £1. The draw will be made at halftime during the last home game of the season against Torquay United on 20 April 2002.

Ken Thorne and his marketing team, particularly Philip Illsley, have been very supportive with this raffle, and tickets for the draw are available at their showrooms at Neath Abbey and Kingsbridge, Gorseinon.. We would like to thank them, and it is great to see a business relatively new to this area, getting so involved in supporting the Trust. Hopefully in future fundraising events, other local businesses will become involved.

You may have already seen Trust members selling these tickets, and they had a successful time outside Swansea Market on Saturday 16 Feb. Over the coming weeks, you may see stalls in your workplace or even your local supermarket, so please support this, and why not join the Trust at the same time.

Membership is now standing at 1413, and we aim to reach 1500 as our next goal, by the end of March. You can download an application form off the Trust website www.swanstrust.com

If you do not have access to the Internet, please phone 07977 382328 at any time between 9am and 10pm, and ask for an application form. Alternatively write to us at Swansea City Supporters' Trust, P O Box 314, Swansea, SA1 7XB. These contact points can also be used if you have any queries that you want answered.

One of the aims of the Trust is to bring the Football Club closer to its community. How we will be doing this, and projects that we will be getting involved with, will be covered in future columns. Fundraising will be an ongoing activity. You will be able to see the results of the support that you are providing to the Trust, and will hopefully feel part of the successes we achieve together. As the Trust's motto says, 'Get involved, be involved'.

MANAGER Colin Addison insists no ultimatum has been issued to Swansea City's owners over his future - but wants it settled this weekend.

With the Vetch Field management team's contracts up at the end of the season, assistant boss Peter Nicholas suggested after Saturday's win at Halifax that the pair would quit unless new deals materialised.

That prompted a hastily-arranged meeting with Swansea's management committee yesterday afternoon.

As a result a decision is due in the next week, although Addison remains adamant that no arms have been twisted.

''There's been no pressure, no ultimatums and no ransomes, '' said Addison after the meeting with Huw Jenkins and Don Goss yesterday.

''We just want to know where our futures lie, and after five weeks in charge the new owners should be able to make their minds up. The time is only right.

''We hope to stay for another year if not longer, and we would appreciate an answer soon.

''We requested the meeting as we're keen to plan for next season, to deal with players who are out of contract and look at team strengthening.

''If they have other people in mind or are looking elsewhere then fine, but let us know so we can make plans for our futures.

''The talks yesterday were amicable and very frank, and Huw assured us that this matter would be discussed at a full committee meeting planned for later on this week.

''Therefore, I would like to think that we will know one way or the other by the end of this weekend.'' Committee member Brian Katzman is due to arrive in Swansea from the United States in time for the game against Hull on Friday.

One man touted as a possible successor to Addison, former Swan Andy Legg, ruled himself out yesterday by signing a one-year extension to his Cardiff City contract.

Amid the off-field furore, Addison's side aim for a fourth successive win when Scunthorpe visit the Vetch tonight (7.45).

The manager's hand will be strengthened by the return of captain Nick Cusack and young central defender Andrew Mumford from suspension.

Lee Jenkins, Jason Smith and Terry Evans remain on the sidelines, but Swansea have no fresh injury worries.

Left-wingback Michael Howard will start after pouring cold water on a proposed move to First Division Stockport.

''The interest is flattering, but I just want to help Swansea get as far up the table as possible, '' said the 23-year-old.

''It's a long shot but we could still make the play-offs, and I want to be part of that.'' Addison added: ''It was a big result for us on Saturday, but we are not safe in my eyes until the statistics show we are. That's why it's important that we keep our good run going tonight.''

ANDREW MUMFORD fired a late equaliser to earn Swansea City a deserved draw and maintain their un-beaten run against promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe last night.

Colin Addison's men were seconds away from suffering a cruel defeat when the Yorkshire side went 2-1 up in the 89th minute.

But Mumford drilled in a 25-yard free-kick to salvage a point and stretch resurgent Swansea's unbeaten run to five games.

Only 3,085 people were at The Vetch as Roger Freestone made his 489th Swansea appearance to equal Herbie Williams's record for second highest all-time club appearances.

The goalkeeper will move ahead of Williams when high-flying Hull City are the visitors on Friday night - another match Swansea should feel confident of winning.

It was Mumford who carved out Swansea's first opportunity after eight minutes, the central defender racing 25 yards before rifling a shot inches wide of the right hand post.

Scunthorpe's first chance in the 19th minute - came courtesy of a defensive mix up in Swansea's 18-yard box.

Chris Todd cleared Matthew Sparrow's cross only for Swansea's midfielder Steve Brodie to head it back into the danger area. The ball fell to Spaniard Alex Calvo-Garcia whose overhead kick looped just over the woodwork.

Further confusion in the Swansea back line gifted Scunthorpe a soft opening goal on the half-hour mark.

Calvo-Garcia converted Carl Bradshaw's corner with a near post flick, leaving Gareth Phillips and Jonathan Coates squabbling over who was supposed to be marking him.

Phillips capped an otherwise impressive first-half display by rifling in Swansea's equaliser nine minutes later.

Finding himself unmarked and with acres of space, the former Wales Under-21 international latched on to Michael Howard's deep left-sided cross to volley low past

Scunthorpe goalkeeper Tom Evans, Brodie appearing to get a touch as the ball flew into the net.

Having scored in the 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient earlier this month, Mumford was clearly hungry for another goal and chanced his luck again seven minutes after the interval. His rasping 18-yard effort forced Evans to stoop low to his right to prevent Swansea snatching an early second-half lead.

Former Swansea striker Steve Torpey - who made more than 160 league appearance during four seasons at The Vetch - was gifted a chance to grab United's second after 70 minutes.

Torpey intercepted Mumford's clumsy chest-down, but the big target-man sliced his effort high and wide of the target to a chorus of jeers from the home supporters.

Brian Quailey was more fortunate in the 89th minute, the striker managing to bundle in Andy Dawson's corner to give a delighted Scunthorpe the lead.

It seemed Brian Laws's men had denied Swansea a deserved point but Mumford was on hand to rescue the home side.

Awarded a free-kick deep into injury time after tumbling to the ground, Swansea-born Mumford rifled an unstoppable 25-yard strike past Evans.

Swansea have captain Nick Cusack and defender Andrew Mumford back after the duo served one-match bans during the 1-0 win at Halifax on Saturday.

Lee Jenkins and Jason Smith, who has been out since before Christmas, are still unavailable.

Goalkeeper Roger Freestone is set to equal second place in the all-time list of appearances for Swansea when he turns out at Vetch Field.

The 33-year-old has played more than 500 times since joining from Chelsea in 1991.

Knocks

Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws will wait until the last minute to name his squad to face Swansea.

Several of his players were carrying knocks following their 2-1 win over Rochdale on Saturday.

He refused to name the players who are injured but Laws did rule out midfielder Wayne Graves, who has damaged his knee.

NICK CUSACK believes it is vital Swansea City guard against complacency when promotion-chasers Scun-thorpe United visit the Vetch Field tonight.

A 1-0 victory at bottom club Halifax Town on Saturday virtually guaranteed Swansea's Football League survival, the club moving 16 points clear of the struggling Shaymen.

But club captain Cusack has urged his Swans team-mates not to let up the pace against United, who arrive at the Vetch desperate for points to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.

"The last thing we should do is take our foot off the gas, to let complacency creep in," said the midfielder.

"Having won three games in a row, I want everybody to push on and make a concerted effort to continue the unbeaten run.

"Though it's a bit premature to talk about play-offs, I wouldn't rule anything in or rule anything out.

"What I do know is that football can change very quickly - we could just as easily find ourselves back at the bottom of the table as be pushing nearer the top.

"You can't take anything for granted - especially considering everything that's happened at the club this season - and shouldn't stop wanting to win games.

"We're more than capable of making it four or five wins in a row and if we do that, who knows what might happen."

Cusack believes the players whose contracts expire at the end of the season - including him - must use the remaining games to convince the management they should be at the Vetch next year.

"The players have worked hard to get through this season. Sometimes it's hard to believe the position we're in considering everything that's happened.

"It's now up to them to prove they're capable of taking things forward for the remainder of this season and next." But the players' futures cannot be considered until a decision is made on manager Colin Addison and assistant manager Peter Nicholas.

"That's not something I want to get embroiled in at the moment," said

Cusack.

"They've (Addison and Nicholas) made their feelings known and it's down to the board to decide what the situation is.

"But I get on well with Colin and Peter and I think they've done a good job under difficult circumstances." The 36-year-old has served a suspension and is available for the first of three games against sides chasing promotion.

After Scunthorpe, sixth-placed Hull City visit the Vetch on Friday and the Swans travel to Shrewsbury Town a week today.

"We've nothing to fear against those three teams," said Cusack. "We proved we can compete against the top sides when we matched league leaders Plymouth Argyle a few weeks ago."

COLIN ADDISON and Peter Nicholas will hold showdown talks with Swansea City's committee of directors before the club's Third Division clash against Hull City on Friday.

With little more than two months left of the season, Swans manager Addison and his assistant Nicholas are desperate to know whether they are going to be offered new contracts.

Swansea saviour Mel Nurse rejected claims his new consortium is stalling on contract talks, insisting a decision on the management duo's future would be made within a fortnight.

But a source close to Addison last night revealed he is not prepared to wait that long - and will look for answers in Friday's meeting.

"The new owners been in place for five weeks and we feel the time is right for us to ask the question," Addison told Swansea's official website.

"We need to know our position so that we are able to plan for next season.

"The number of players whose contracts are due to expire is in double figures, and we are having them knocking on the office door every day, asking what the position is.

"That's understandable as they want to know what's going to happen to them, but we are unable to answer their questions as we don't know what's happening to us." Former Swans assistant manager Alan Curtis said Addison and Nicholas deserve to know now whether their futures lie at the Vetch.

"I find it strange the club hasn't sorted out the situation sooner," said Curtis.

"Things have obviously come to a head, with Colin and Peter feeling they've got a point to make.

"And I feel they deserve to be there for another season - to have the chance to manage under more normal circumstances."

With Swansea's owners refusing to be drawn on whether Addison and Nicholas will be at the Vetch next season, speculation has mounted over who might succeed them.

One possible contender, Cardiff City's Andy Legg, was ruled out yesterday when the defender signed a one-year extension to his contract at Ninian Park.

But others - including Exeter manager John Cornforth and former Swans striker Dean Saunders - continue to be linked with a return to the Vetch.

"Colin and Peter have done a great job for Swansea City - they're very capable people," said Nurse.

"But the club has had so much on its plate that we haven't had time to sit down and look at contracts.

"Do I want them to stay at the Vetch? It's down to the committee to answer that question and I hope it will be answered in a couple of weeks."

Halifax Town 0 - Swansea City 1

WHEN a side at the bottom of the table is not creating chances it is said to be time to worry.

Town advanced the case for worry when the side at the bottom is creating them, but failing to take any.

Seldom will a Halifax side, especially one not playing all that well, have carved out so many goal-scoring opportunities.

Yet, if anything, they finished the game further away from the relegation dogfight to which they aspire than before kick off.

While other sides around them appear capable of winning the odd game now and then, Town simply do not.

And many of the diehard 1,600 or so who watched Saturday's game already appear to be accepting the inevitability of relegation.

They might have a point. Goodness knows what would happen to Town should they ever hit a bad patch.

But the players simply cannot - and I am certain will not - allow the fight to whimper out well before the end of the campaign in April.

Their downfall against Swansea was brought about by a 10th-minute header from Steve Watkin who can have scored few simpler goals in his career.

The striker headed home a Damien Lacey corner from four yards after being completely ignored by the Town defence.

That proved to be virtually the Swans' only scoring opportunity while at the other end Town spurned a host of opportunities to level or even go ahead.

The first, in the 15th minute, fell to Marc Richards who controlled a massive clearance from keeper Barry Richardson superbly on the edge of the City area with his right foot.

Unfortunately, he put the ball past the advancing Roger Freestone and wide of the right-hand post with his left.

Two minutes later Steve Kerrigan laid the ball off to Craig Middleton whose pass sent Steve Bushell clear, but the midfielder's shot was saved by the keeper.

Richards cut in from the left before firing wide on the half-hour and Scott Houghton deserved better from a quickly-taken free-kick that curled round the Swansea wall only to be beaten away by Freestone.

After that, there were a series of half chances that a confident side would have exploited. But successive headers from Kerrigan and Richards ended up in the keeper's arms, and Middleton volleyed over from 15 yards although the ball did arrive at a difficult height as the visitors' defence tried to clear a Houghton corner.

The second half started in similar vein to the first with Ian Fitzpatrick crossing deep from the left, Kerrigan nodding back across goal and Richards watching helplessly as Freestone tipped his shot over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Richards got in a header good enough to beat the keeper, who was saved by Gareth Phillips on the line.

The chances continued to come - and go.

But Swansea were more of a threat on the break and Mamady Sidibe had a couple of gilt-edged chances to close out the match but was denied on both occasions by Richardson.

Kerrigan's through ball looked to have released Fitzpatrick who was only denied a shooting opportunity by a great last-ditch tackle from Phillips.

And, after Sidibe had spurned another two chances at the other end, you got the feeling Town were never going to score when they failed to capitalise on a Freestone error.

The City keeper's clearance struck one of his own players and rebounded to Fitzpatrick. He passed to Houghton who could only curl an effort over the bar.

Mark Jules made good progress down the left and caused the Swansea defence problems. But still there was nothing doing in front of goal.

There were the usual late chances with Middleton denied by the best of Freestone's saves from another volley in the 88th minute.

And, in quick succession, Fitzpatrick, Kerrigan and Richards all had injury-time shots blocked by the Swansea defence.

But too often, as panic set in, the Shaymen wasted set pieces and Swansea's nerve held to send their hosts another step towards the drop.

Swansea City management duo Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas have threatened to walk away from the club if their contracts aren't sorted out soon.

The pair are still waiting for assurances from Vetch officials of extensions to their short term contracts.

Since taking over at Swansea in September, Addison and Nicolas have turned the teams fortunes around on the pitch.

The club's survival in the Third Division is now almost certainly secured, and Saturday's win over Halifax was their third successive league success.

All of this has been achieved despite a Football League embargo on player transfers.

And Nicholas believes his and Addison's achievements should now be recognised by the club with offers of extended contracts.

"The situation at the club has been very tough for the last six months we've been in," he told BBC Sport Online.

"We haven't spent any money, we've bought two or three players in on free transfers to improve the team.

"They have improved the team and results have gone our way.

"But we're in a situation now that if people at the club don't make their minds up about or future, we'll make it up for them.

"Colin (Addison) and I have spoken about that and we're prepared to walk away."

A BREATHTAKING display by Swansea's Welsh international keeper Roger Freestone gave the Welsh club their third win on the trot, virtually assuring City's league status.

They played a Halifax side which was 13 points below them at the foot of the table who now seem to be heading to the Conference.

After Steve Watkin had headed Swansea into a 10th minute lead from a Damien Lacey corner, the Welshman had to defend against a desperate Halifax side fighting for their survival.

While the defence battled well to keep Halifax out, it was Freestone who emerged as the hero, pulling off a string of great saves to deny the Yorkshire club.

But luck was also on the Welsh club's side. Five minutes after Watkin's goal Freestone raced out to try and stop striker Mark Richards chasing a long clearance from Halifax keeper Barry Richardson. But luckily for Swansea the teenager stroked the ball past the empty net.

A minute later Freestone denied Steve Bushell with a tremendous save from 10 yards. And shortly before the break he superbly tipped away a Scott Houghton free kick which was destined for the bottom corner.

Just after the break Freestone pulled off a point blank range save from Richards before Gareth Phillips headed a powerful header from Richards off the goal line.

Swansea striker Mamady Sidibe should have wrapped up the game in the 58th minute but Richardson brought off a great save from close range.

CRISIS club Halifax could be parting company with their beleaguered manager Alan Little this week.

Yet another defeat for the worst placed club in the League means they have only won only two of the 22 games Little has been in charge in since his arrival in October.

Little said: "I'm not a quitter. Naturally I am concerned, but until people say they don't want me then I will stay here."

Halifax's player-coach Neil Redfearn is waiting in the wings, but to be fair to Little, the team should have grabbed all three points against Swansea yesterday.

Steve Watkin may have put the visitors ahead on 10 minutes, but Halifax were denied by some great defensive work and a brilliant performance from keeper Roger Freestone, who pulled off five sensational saves.

MAJOR Swansea investor Mel Nurse last night admitted the Vetch money men will attempt to take Welsh international Andy Legg from bitter rivals Cardiff this summer.

Legg, 36 in July, is out of contract with the Bluebirds shortly.

Wycombe, Notts County and Peterborough are watching the situation closely, but Swansea are ready to offer the swashbuckling defender his first break into coaching.

Neath-born Legg launched his professional career at the Vetch 15 seasons back, making 207 appearances.

Nurse said: "Andy is still under contract at available, we'd definitely be interested.

"I don't think his age comes into consideration because he is a naturally fit boy - he'd still make a significant contribution on and off the pitch at Swansea,

"We gave him his first chance in professional soccer and I know the Swans are still very close to his heart. If he wants to talk to us about going into coaching and management, he knows where we are."

And Nurse is convinced Legg has the ambition, motivation and academic strength to become one of football's new breed of boss. He went on: "I think he's got the makings of the next Steve McClaren or David O'Leary.

"Brian Clough had to start somewhere. What better place for Andy than Swansea where he could cut his managerial and coaching teeth under somebody else for a couple of years?

"Commercially, he'd be a great signing for the Swans too. His arrival would give the club a massive boost - we'd sell more shirts in the shop and get more bums on seats."

Halifax Town 0  Swansea City 1

Swansea City continued their recent good form at The New Shay with their third successive victory.

Colin Addison's side struck early then defended resolutely to ensure their season's sixth away victory.

Swansea showed two changes from the side which pipped Southend in a five-goal thriller eight days previously as in came Kristian O'Leary and midfielder Damien Lacey for the suspended Andrew Mumford and Nick Cusack.

Rock-bottom Halifax reshuffled as they sought their first victory in eight matches.

Stalwart Paul Stoneman went into the back and ex-Cardiff link-man Craig Middleton slotted in.

There was a further boost when left-back Mark Jules passed a late fitness test.

Both rivals were having to battle bitter conditions in the Calder Valley before kick-off - the sub-zero temperatures punctured by spasmodic slow flurry.

Swansea had the best of the opening exchanges and on 10 minutes their determination won a corner from which they opened the scoring.

Lacey swung in a cross, but an unchallenged Steve Watkin nodded home from five yards. It was the ex-Wrexham hit man's eighth goal of the season.

Town could have been level within six minutes when keeper Richardson's long punch left Marc Richards with just Freestone to beat, but he dragged his shot wide of the target.

The Shaymen continued to look a threat and Freestone had to be at his best in the Swansea goal to keep Scott Houghton's 25-yard free kick out of the bottom corner on 31 minutes.

A number of midfield tackles threatened to boil over and the referee cautioned Paul Stoneman and Kristian O'Leary in an attempt to maintain control.

Following strong words during the break, Halifax started the second period with greater purpose and when Steve Kerrigan headed a far post cross back to Richards, Freestone showed his international pedigree in pushing the close-range effort out for a corner.

Richards, on loan from Premiership Blackburn, was further frustrated whenhis goal-bound header from the corner was cleared off the line by Phillips.

Phillips continued his rear-guard duties just past the hour when he covered 25 yards to make a timely tackle on Ian Fitzpatrick, who was about to shoot at the Swansea goal.

Halifax threw everything at Swansea in the closing stages and former Bluebird Craig Middleton had Freestone at full stretch to push out his 20-yard shot in the closing minute.