EBBW Vale came within a whisker of gaining a fourth successive league victory.

Five minutes into stoppage time at St Helen’s, the Steelmen led 20-13 only for ex-Newport fly-half James Dixon to steal over for a try that he also converted from straight in front.

It formed a disappointing end for Vale, who showed the same kind of resolve that the week before led to them easily downing champions Neath.

However, there was one main difference – a watertight defence against the Blacks wasn’t repeated against the Whites.

As coach Matthew McCarthy explained, dropping off too many tackles proved an expensive luxury.

“In fairness to Swansea, they adopted an open style, but we were our own worst enemies,” he stressed. “Against Neath hardly any tackles were missed, but the boys let themselves down this time.

“That said, we were 20-13 up deep into injury time, and it was bitterly disappointing to have victory snatched from our grasp.

“In the circumstances I did not feel a draw was a fair result, but on a positive note it kept our unbeaten run going.

“And as we now have three successive home games, hopefully momentum can be maintained during the run-up to Christmas.’’ The sequence of Eugene Cross Park engagements that McCarthy referred to involves Glamorgan Wanderers, leaders Llanelli and Aberavon.

On similar lines to Neath the previous week, the Steelmen had first use of a strong wind blowing off Swansea Bay and they assembled a useful 20-10-interval lead.

Two early penalties from fly-half Andrew Williams proved confidence-boosters, but Swansea then dropped a clanger.

No 8 Marc Popham knocked on with the goal line at his mercy, and the error was compounded when Vale crafted a good try.

Captain and centre Kristian Owen, who was again at his impish best, broke for full-back Andrew McLaughlan to collect a 24th Welsh Premiership try.

Fly-half Williams added the extras, but Vale then committed suicide in leaking two poor tries.

Woeful tackling led to Ospreys stats man Damian Karuana gliding over for a 30th-minute try – and he was soon followed over the whitewash by centre David Watts.

That narrowed the gap to 13-10, but the Whites repaid the complement during the final move of the half.

Outstanding No 8 Rhys Williams intercepted on his 10-metre line, and sent captain Owen clear from halfway.

Fly-half Williams improved on his touchdown, but it was dubious whether a 10-point lead was going to be enough.

However, as time dragged on it seemed as if it would be as all the Whites could muster was a 45th-minute penalty from Karuana.

After interception king James Lewis just failed to cling on to seven-point pass in the 65th minute, Swansea also just missed out in the try stakes.

Replacement Rob Lewis got a vital hand on an inside pass from Swansea wing Rhys Jones with the tryline gaping.

But entering the final stages, more was heard of the “Ebbw, Ebbw” chant from travelling fans.

However, after lock Gavin Lucas spent 10 minutes on the sidelines, full-back McLaughlan became the second Vale man to see yellow.

That left a gap at the back, and replacement full-back Dixon exploited to execute Swansea’s late jailbreak.

Once again Vale were solid at the set pieces, but they lost dynamic flanker Simon Pengelly to a worrying 36th-minute knee injury.

However, James Thomas proved an admirable replacement, as Vale continue to head in the right direction.

Swansea: J Lewis (J Dixon 47 mins); Rhys Jones, R Payne, D Watts, L Bevan; D Karuana, N Jones (P Tucker 75); Roy Jones, A W Davies, T Evans, M Collins (H Alford 61), G Ronan, S Kiley, M Popham (S Jones 64), M Evans (capt).

Scorers: Tries – D Karuana, D Watts, J Dixon; con: J Dixon; pen: D Karuana.

Ebbw Vale: A McLaughlan; A Bevan, K Owen (capt), S Powell (R Lewis 75), J Lewis; A Williams (D Langdon 56), I Evans (L Lane 74); A Lott, M Williams (R Wilkes 61), M Jones (J Corsi 56), G Lucas, J Griffiths, R Jenkins, R Williams (N Eaves 69), S Pengelly (J Thomas 36).

Scorers: Tries – A McLaughlan, K Owen; cons: A Williams (2); pens: A Williams (2).

Referee: Timothy Hayes (Carmarthen).

Yellow cards: J Lewis (Swansea) 37 mins, G Lucas 57, A McLaughlan 76 (both Ebbw Vale).

Argus star man: Rhys Williams.