Swansea City's upturn in fortunes under Vitor Matos continued as Jay Fulton's spectacular long-range strike secured victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Fulton found the top corner of Joe Wildsmith's net from 25 yards – possibly with the aid of a slight deflection – to score his first goal in almost 13 months just a minute after coming off the bench.

The Scot's effort snatched Swansea a fifth win in their past seven games and lifts Matos' improving side to 15th in the Championship.

But West Brom's ninth successive away defeat was another heavy blow for under-pressure boss Ryan Mason, whose side slip to 17th.

Albion were unhappy with the Swansea goal, with Nat Phillips booked for dissent as Mason's players argued Ousmane Diakite was fouled by Ronald just before Fulton's matchwinning contribution.

The first half had been something of a slow burner, with Swansea lacking the quality to find a route to goal despite being the sharper, more progressive side.

The Swans' cause was not helped by the absence of a striker in Matos' starting XI, with leading scorer Zan Vipotnik only featuring as a substitute and Adam Idah and Liam Cullen on the injured list.

That meant attacking midfielder Melker Widell led the home line, and the Swede had perhaps the best chance of the first half when his shot was blocked.

Marko Stamenic's crisp 20-yard effort drew a save from West Brom keeper Wildsmith, but it was Albion who came closest to a first-half opener on the counter when Samuel Iling-Junior's drive was pawed away at the near post by Lawrence Vigouroux.

Swansea's control of the contest continued in the early stages of the second period, with Ben Cabango looping a header over the top before Albion suddenly flickered into life.

Karlan Grant 's 25-yard drive was beaten away before Mikey Johnston's header forced Vigouroux into another saved as Swansea wobbled.

But just as Albion sensed an end to their dreadful away run was possible, holding midfielder Fulton struck and Mason's players were unable to muster a response.

These two clubs met at The Hawthorns just over a month ago, when Swansea led 2-0 after 11 minutes only to slump to a 3-2 defeat.

The nature of the visitors' collapse that day set alarm bells ringing for Matos, who was taking charge of only his second game after replacing Alan Sheehan, but the Portuguese has since made a significant impression on this Swansea side.

Despite a growing injury list, Swansea played with an energy and purpose which ensured they always looked the more likely winners aside from a 15-minute spell before the goal.

The gap to the bottom three now stands at eight points, with West Brom now closer to the relegation zone after their latest painful day on the road.

Having begun the season with back-to-back away victories, Albion have now suffered 10 losses in 13 league fixtures on their travels, more than any other side in the second tier this season.

While home form has been far better, Mason's job security continues to be in some doubt after six defeats in the Baggies' past eight games.

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"I think it was a balanced game in the first half. We were in control but not a lot of chances. West Brom were trying to take an advantage from a second ball or a counter or a mistake.

"We had he control and the dominance but only one clear chance I would say.

"Second half West Brom had a spell of seven minutes where we needed properly to defend deep.

"Then this kind of game, with the amount of games in a short period of time, simple things can make a difference and that's what happened.

"It was a brilliant counter press from Ronnie (Ronald) and even more brilliant from Jay. He can score like this a lot in training. I was really happy for him – he is an important character for us who has a lot of values I like."

West Brom head coach Ryan Mason:

"Obviously a lot of anger, a lot of frustration. It's a tough game to analyse. We are not able to make changes because of our squad at the moment. We came up against a team who made four changes and I think in the first half you could feel the energy difference.

"But they didn't really create anything in the first half and then second half I thought we grew into it, we were by far the better team.

"We had chances but the reality is a lot of our games this season have hinged on moments and being clinical and we weren't clinical today.

"If you don't take them, you open yourself open to conceding a worldie from 25 yards. That was the difference.

"The run we have been on is incredible, it's embarrassing. But if you actually go through those games, we have had a lot of opportunities – probably a lot better than we had today in fairness."