STOURPORT Swifts suffered their second Gloucestershire away day defeat in a row as they were beaten 1-0 at Cinderford Town in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

Tim Langford's side slumped to a 2-0 defeat when they were second best at Gloucester City the previous weekend but on this occasion, they deserved at least a point.

Only stout defending and the safe hands of keeper Andy Fisher kept them at bay as Swifts looked to build on the hard work of their excellent central midfield trio.

Adam Nicholls, Tim Nicholls and Simon Marsh dominated in the mud and had the finishing been a little sharper, Swifts would have made a quick return to winning ways.

Jan Mulders went close to giving Swifts a seventh minute lead with a diving header but Fisher brilliantly saved the effort.

Mulders and Dave Davies then had further chances either saved or blocked before the home side took the lead on 33 minutes, Darryl Addis escaping his marker to head home Chris Bale's cross.

The second period saw Swifts again on the attack with Tim Nicholls and Richard Gardner trying their hand from close range before defender Mulders twice squandered efforts from in front of goal.

Stourport keeper Rob Clarke had come to their rescue at the end of the first half with a fine save at the feet of Bale.

And he pulled off another outstanding stop six minutes from time to keep out a Simon Truman penalty after Addis had been upended on the edge of the area by Asa Charlton.

Injury time produced one final chance for the visitors to secure a draw, Gardner's free-kick finding the head of Mulders.

But his effort was once again blocked on the line as the Gloucestershire side held on to the points.

SWIFTS: Clarke 8, S Wright 7, Charlton 7, A Nicholls 7, Davies 8, T NICHOLLS 9, Mulders 7, Marsh 8, Giddings 5, Langford 7 (Laker 81), Gardner 6. Subs (not used): A Wright, Hipkins.

STAR MAN: Tim Nicholls.

ATTENDANCE: 136.