Craig Beattie came back to haunt Championship leaders West Brom by grabbing the only goal to secure a shock victory for Swansea.

The Glasgow-born striker only managed four league goals during two injury-hit years at Albion, two of which came back in August before becoming the Swans' record signing later that month.

But tonight, with his second goal in as many games, he sent the Baggies to their third defeat in five games, although they remain top of the table courtesy of Newcastle's defeat at Scunthorpe.

Beattie lit up a poor clash with the only goal in the 50th minute, latching onto Mark Gower's pass to strike a low effort past Scott Carson and extend Swansea's unbeaten run to seven matches.

The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion and both goalkeepers may as well have been stuck on the M5 such was the lack of goalmouth action in the opening quarter.

A crowd of 21,022 had to wait until the half-hour mark for the first chance of any note and it was the visitors who came close to breaking the deadlock.

Darren Pratley got the better of his man on the right side of the penalty area and found the onrushing Nathan Dyer at the near post, but his point-blank effort was well blocked by Carson.

The hosts had a golden chance of their own after 34 minutes as Gonzalo Jara's superb cross-field pass found Chris Wood six yards out but he could only volley over.

The dullest of first half's was brought to life somewhat as Carson had to be at his best to keep out Ashley Williams' close-range header, before Cedric Van Der Gun found the Birmingham Road end with a clear shooting opportunity.

Albion then had a chance in first-half stoppage time but Luke Moore could only watch as his lob landed the wrong side of a post.

Such was the overall poor standard of the first half that three substitutions were made at the break.

And an increase in tempo and urgency contributed to the crucial breakthrough soon after the restart.

Gower found Beattie on the left side of the area and he angled a low drive across Carson to register only the Welsh club's sixth away goal of the season. Albion huffed and puffed as they tried to fashion a leveller but to no avail.

Swansea keeper Dorus De Vries had yet to make a serious save as the game approached the final 15 minutes.

Substitute Simon Cox fired inches wide before Thomas Butler clipped the woodwork at the other end as the Swans threatened to grab a second.

Teams:

West Brom Carson, Zuiverloon, Jara, Olsson, Mattock (Cox 74), Thomas, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Cech (Teixeira 46), Moore (Koren 46), Wood.

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Reid, Meite, Martis.

Booked: Jara.

Swansea De Vries, Rangel, Williams, Tate, Painter (Richards 46), Britton, Pratley, Dyer (Butler 61),Gower (Allen 74), Van der Gun, Beattie.

Subs Not Used: Cornell, Lopez, Trundle, Idrizaj.

Booked: Painter, Pratley.

Goals: Beattie 50.

Att: 21,022

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).