Jason Scotland spared Swansea's blushes as his late penalty was enough to see off battling Plymouth 1-0 and move Roberto Martinez's side back into the play-off places.

The home side dominated for huge swathes at the Liberty Stadium however it was left to Scotland to smash home a 78th-minute penalty following keeper Romain Larrieu's foul on Jordi Gomez to earn them three vital Coca-Cola Championship points.

Swansea were buoyed by the return of midfielder Darren Pratley as one of three changes from the side that drew with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while Plymouth were also forced into two changes as Craig Cathcart and Paul Gallagher missed out.

And it was the visitors who began well, going close early on as Ashley Barnes forced keeper Dorus De Vries into a reaction save with a snap shot from inside the area.

De Vries clawed the effort behind, and from the resulting corner Gary Sawyer inexplicably headed wide with the goal gaping.

Swansea took until the quarter hour to fashion their first opening, Leon Britton firing in a sharp effort from point-blank range that defender Karl Duguid superbly blocked.

Carl Fletcher also came close to snatching the lead for Plymouth when his dipping shot from distance was well held by De Vries.

Swansea hit back and came within inches of going ahead moments later when Gomez drew a foul from Duguid on the edge of the area and sent the resulting free-kick rattling against the bar.

Powerful striker Scotland muscled in a shot that Larrieu did well to repel, however just as the home side were looking comfortable Craig Noone curled in a delicate left-footed effort that De Vries did well to keep hold of.

Gomez and Angel Rangel both wasted inviting opportunities before half-time as Larrieu kept out a pair of long-range efforts to send the visitors in on level terms.

And the Swans began the second half much in the same manner they ended the first, with Alan Tate calling Larrieu again into action to keep out a vicious 20-yarder.

Scotland could only scuff a shot from the edge of the area horribly wide shortly afterwards as the home side began to turn the screw.

Martinez's side were looking clear favourites and Gomez again produced a piece of brilliance from a dead-ball situation only for Larrieu to somehow tip over his superb 20-yard free-kick.

It appeared a matter of time as Gomez then cracked an effort just wide following Thomas Butler's corner.

Pratley also could have broken the deadlock had he not fired straight at Larrieu from 25 yards.

Gomez failed to hit the target as he wastefully smashed a shot over from 18 yards, however the Spaniard had a huge hand in the winner just moments later as he was fouled by Larrieu inside the area.

Scotland duly stepped up and smashed his 18th goal of the season past the despairing keeper.

Despite a hectic late finish Plymouth failed to threaten in the closing stages, indeed they were lucky not to fall further behind when Gomez twice spurned clear-cut chances to put the game to bed.

Teams

Swansea De Vries, Williams, Tate, Rangel, Serran, Britton,Pratley, Gomez, Butler, Dyer (Pintado 76), Scotland (Allen 81).

Subs Not Used: Orlandi, Bauza, Collins.

Booked: Gomez, Serran.

Goals: Scotland 78 pen.

Plymouth Larrieu, Seip, Sawyer (Paterson 87), Timar, Gray,Duguid, Fletcher, Noone (MacLean 80), Judge, Mackie,Barnes (Fallon 80).

Subs Not Used: Clark, Summerfield.

Booked: Judge, Gray, Duguid, Fletcher, Barnes, Sawyer.

Att: 13,103

Ref: Iain Williamson (Berkshire).