Darling rescues a point for Swans at Stoke

Harry Darling's late header rescued a point for Swansea City at Stoke in a meeting of two managerless clubs.

Daniel Johnson's second-half penalty had looked likely to give Stoke all three points in a contest where they created the better chances.

Stoke are three points above the relegation zone after Swansea's late equaliser.

The Potters will feel aggrieved not to have won a contest they appeared to be controlling.

They looked set for three points and might have led by more than a single goal before they lost concentration and allowed Darling a free header from a corner as the home supporters were once again left disappointed.

On paper this was a difficult contest to predict with both sides enduring disappointing starts to the Championship season and now set for changes of direction.

Stoke caretaker boss Paul Gallagher made five changes from the side beaten 1-0 by Sheffield Wednesday in Alex Neil's last game in charge.

Swansea sacked Michael Duff six days earlier than Stoke dismissed Neil and their interim boss Alan Sheehan was hoping to build on a victory at Rotherham as he made just one change to his starting XI.

However, the Swans were far from their best as the size of the challenge for their next manager was underlined in a contest where they barely threatened Stoke.

Swansea enjoyed plenty of early possession but the first clear opportunity of the match was created by the hosts as Josh Laurent's through ball found Ryan Mmaee who was denied by an excellent save by Carl Rushworth, with Junior Tchamadeu's effort on the rebound blocked.

It took the visitors 30 minutes to have an effort on goal with Jay Fulton firing over after Josh Tymon found him in space on the edge of the penalty area.

Both sides lacked conviction in attacking areas and Ben Pearson saw two efforts fail to find the target just before the interval.

Forward Johnson stung the palms of Rushworth with Stoke's first effort of the second half, but it was Swansea who almost went in front from their first effort on target as Josh Key found Jamie Paterson, but his effort was blocked on the line.

It took Swansea 66 minutes to fashion that clear opportunity as they showed few signs of ending a poor run at Stoke that has seen them win only one of their last 12 visits.

Stoke deservedly went ahead on 70 minutes when Mmaee jinked his way through the Swansea defence only to be fouled by Darling, with Johnson sending Rushworth the wrong way with his cool penalty.

The Potters continued to press after going in front and Tchamadeu fired over from a narrow angle as they chased a second, with Mmaee inches away from converting after Tchamadeu's header across goal.

However, their failure to score a second goal proved crucial as Darling headed Swansea level from a corner in the last minute of normal time.

Michael Rose missed a good chance to win it for Stoke deep into stoppage time, but his effort went over from close-range.

The draw leaves Stoke 19th in the Championship, with Swansea remaining 16th.

Stoke City caretaker boss Paul Gallagher:

"We only had 24 hours to prepare the team and we changed the shape. The game plan we put in front of the lads, they stuck to it. I can't ask for any more.

"The work rate, application and fight for each other was excellent.

"The lapse of concentration there at the end cost us three points which I thought we deserved.

"It's just that lapse of concentration but that happens when you put that much into the game, you're physically and mentally drained. We need to get these lads to a point they can see games out."

Swansea City caretaker boss Alan Sheehan told BBC Sport Wales:

"I think we take a draw tonight, we never flowed in possession and in the final third we let ourselves down by lacking quality.

"But I am incredibly proud of the resiliency and character we showed.

"I think a draw is ok for us in the end… four points from two tough away trips to Rotherham and Stoke.

"I am proud of how the players stuck together when we were not at our best tonight. The Championship is a hard league and you can't play at your best in every game."