Russell Martin | That win was down to the courage we showed

Russell Martin put Swansea City’s thrilling 4-2 win over Preston North End down to the courage his players showed on the ball as they extended their unbeaten run to six games.

The hosts had surged into a 3-0 half-time lead against the play-off chasing visitors, with Joel Piroe, Joe Allen and Harry Darling all getting on the scoresheet.

The visitors hit back through goals from Tom Cannon and Troy Parrott to set up a frantic final 20 minutes, which included a confrontation involving the benches and both sets of players that ended with Allen and Preston boss Ryan Lowe being shown red cards.

But the Swans kept their composure during eight minutes of stoppage time, with Piroe getting on to Liam Walsh’s interception to sweep home the clinching strike.

And head coach Martin was full of praise for his players.

"We did more than get over the line tonight,” said the Swans boss.

“I thought we did not have as much control as we would have liked in their half all night really, but some of our build-up play was brilliant.

“They came with such an aggressive press, and once we bypassed that it was fair game to go and score and hurt them.

“We scored two good goals and a set-piece, and to then concede so soon after half-time was so frustrating, especially from a free-kick and a mis-hit clearance.

“It changed how the game looked. Preston threw caution to the wind and committed so many bodies forward. You can see why they have done so well this season and been challenging up there.

“They're a powerful team and really good at what they do.

"We made it harder for ourselves with a lack of control and maybe trying to kill it too early after their first goal because you know the next goal is so important.

“They got it, but some of the courage, even at 3-2, to play from the back was immense. We were a real threat, the distances between the players were brilliant and the willingness to run was superb.

"We always felt we had another goal in us, but that last pass was just missing after Preston scored their second but we got it at the end with another great finish from Joel."