A QUICK glimpse at the league table will show Stourport Swifts rubbing shoulders with the league's leaders.

But look a little more closely and you will see that Dave Titterton's side can only boast a top six place because their away form has been so impressive.

At Walshes Meadow it has been anything but, with two wins in seven games - and one of those was decided on penalties.

In Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of visitors Taunton Town, Swifts created a hatful of chances only to finish up empty-handed.

It was the same story the previous week against Oxford City and sceptics will be predicting more of the same when Paulton Rovers make the trip to Worcestershire this weekend.

A defensive mix-up gifted Taunton the points although Swifts had enough opportunities to repair the damage in the final half-hour. Anthony Lynch fired home the 61st minute winner after nipping in on a lofted ball into the Stourport area.

Defenders Jay Powell and Craig Webb seemed oblivious to his run while keeper Aaron O'Malley appeared to have taken a vow of silence during the interval!

Ronnie Sayer could have levelled five minutes later but lofted his shot over the bar from eight yards while Mark Atkinson feebly headed at into the keeper's arms when left unmarked in front of goal late on. Swifts had looked the more likely winners from start to finish and took a deserved lead on 17 minutes when Mark Crisp forced the ball over the line after a Sayer volley had thumped against the bar.

Andy Checketts had been denied by the woodwork moments earlier and Duncan Willetts missed out when one-on-one with keeper Kenny Griffiths.

All this proved costly for Swifts as, with 30 minutes gone, Richard French drilled home after O'Malley had blocked a Lynch effort.

A last ditch header from Lee Vinnicombe denied Crisp a second at the start of the second half and within a minute and Griffiths saved another effort from Sayer.

Moments later Taunton were ahead and the Swifts supporters were left counting the days until their next away game and a chance of another few points on the board.

Stourport: O'Malley 6, Jones (M) 6, GREEN 8, Webb 7, Powell 7, Shirley 7, Checketts 7, Sayer 8, Crisp 5 (Giddings 81), Willetts 5 (Atkinson 80), Mason 6 (Lloyd 81). Subs (not used): Jones (A), Titterton.

Swifts bid to improve their home form when they host Paulton Rovers at 1pm on Saturday.