Report | Leeds United 2 Swansea City 2

Zan Vipotnik rifled home a 96th minute equaliser to earn Swansea City a valuable and deserved point in a dramatic finish at Elland Road.

The Slovenia international sent a low finish across goal and into the far corner to spark jubilant Swans celebrations, a matter of minutes after Wilfried Gnonto looked to have won the game for the promotion-chasing hosts.

The Swans had made a nightmare start when Brenden Aaronson opening the scoring after just 35 seconds, but the visitors grew into the game and got their reward when Darling capitalised on a handling error and put away the loose ball.

But they looked set to suffer late heartbreak against Leeds for the second time this season when Gnonto slammed home, after Lawrence Vigouroux had done superbly to parry Pascal Struijk's header.

But substitute Vipotnik was on hand to have the last word. 

Earlier in the contest,Josh Tymon had been unable to convert a first-half penalty for the Swans, while Hannes Delcroix rattled a post and Ronald forced a fine save from Illan Meslier.

Vigouroux made an outstanding stop to deny Joel Piroe, while those ahead of him defended manfully, with the midfield trio of Jay Fulton, Goncalo Franco and Lewis O’Brien ceaseless in their energy.

The Swans showed three changes from the defeat to Burnley as Darling, Delcroix and Fulton came into the starting line-up at the expense of Kyle Naughton, Jisung Eom and Žan Vipotnik.

Swansea would have wanted a solid start against a side boasting the best attacking record in the league, but they trailed inside 40 seconds.

Jayden Bogle went marauding into space down the right and his pull-back found Piroe.

The Dutchman’s initial shot was blocked, but Swansea could not clear the loose ball and Aaronson pounced to prod the ball through the legs of Delcroix and into the corner of the net.

It was a whirlwind start from the hosts, and Piroe was soon advancing into space before Tymon did well to cut out his lay-off for Aaronson on the edge of the area.

But the Swans had the chance to level when Joe Rodon clumsily challenged O’Brien in the area and referee Ben Toner immediately pointed to the spot.

Tymon took responsibility but Meslier got down to his left to push the ball around the post for a corner.

Swansea then spurned another big chance when Tymon’s free-kick was flicked on at the near post only for Delcroix to rattle the woodwork as he arrived at the far stick.

Tymon was involved again as he drove onto a Cullen pass, and Meslier had to be alert to gather the left winger’s low cross as Ronald closed in.

There was a growing sense of tension in the home support as, after the hosts rapid start, they now found themselves being asked questions by the visitors.

Leeds retained their advantage at the interval, and Dan James sent an effort well wide with their first attack of the second period.

Sam Byram also rolled an effort wide of the target, but Swansea continued to keep themselves in the game and have moments of promise themselves.

O’Brien produced an excellent surging run to carry the ball deep into Leeds territory, but had few black shirts up with him, and Ronald’s supporting run did little to commit any of the covering Leeds defenders and the attack fizzled out.

James was a whisker away from finding the far corner at the other end just before Vigouroux made an incredible save to deny Piroe’s volley from an Ao Tanaka cross, making a reflex stop to push the volley onto the post.

Meslier was the next keeper into action, doing well to parry Ronald’s dipping volley for a corner.

But Swansea levelled from the set-piece when Meslier dropped the ball under no pressure, and Darling was on hand to prod home.

The Leeds keeper just about held O’Brien’s low drive before the same Swansea player saw a curling effort bounce just past the far post.

Vigouroux parried away Piroe’s speculative drive as the game headed into its final 20 minutes, before Aaronson headed a James cross over the bar.

But there was nothing the keeper could do when, after denying Struijk, substitute Gnonto walloped an unerring low drive into the net.

However, there was more drama to come when Vipotnik silenced the home support deep in stoppage time.

Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Harry Darling, Hannes Delcroix (Jisung Eom 74); Jay Fulton (Ollie Cooper 82), Lewis O’Brien, Gonçalo Franco (Joe Allen 83); Ronald (Florian Bianchini 87), Josh Tymon; Liam Cullen (Žan Vipotnik 87).

Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Cyrus Christie, Kyle Naughton, Sam Parker.

Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu (captain) (Ao Tanaka 58), Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, Daniel James (Wilfried Gnonto 85), Joe Rothwell, Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson (Mateo Joseph 72), Manor Solomon (Largue Ramazani 72), Sam Byram (Junior Firpo 72).

Unused Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Joshua Guilavogui, Isaac Schmidt, Ilia Gruev. 

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance: 35,574