AN ANXIOUS few weeks await Stourport Swifts player-boss Tim Langford as he struggles to maintain his side's places near the top of the Dr Martens Western Division table.

An injury crisis at Walshes Meadow reduced Swifts to the bare bones for the visit of Gloucester City but they still produced an assured display on their way to a 2-1 victory.

Ian Cottrill has been added to an injury list already containing long-term victims Ross Knight, Steve Ulfig and Willie Dunn while Asa Charlton is suspended.

That meant a place on the bench for Langford - even though the manager had been struggling with 'flu during the week.

Langford admitted: "I am trying to find a balance at the moment. If I have too many players I cannot keep everyone happy.

"That is why I am using a 15 or 16-man squad rather than having a 19-man squad."

But he expressed his delight with the manner of the win.

"The display typifies what we are all about this season," he said. "We could, and perhaps should have, won by more.

"People forget that we have only lost three at home all season and we want to finish as high as we can.

"But we have to be realistic, we just cannot compete with the top four financially. But I cannot see why we shouldn't do well again next season."

Against Gloucester, Swifts were ahead after just seven minutes when a Richard Gardner corner was helped into his own net by visiting goalkeeper Matt Bata.

Luke Prince slotted in an equaliser two minutes later and both sides had chances to take a half-time lead.

Gardner had a shot cleared off the line while, at the other end, Rob Clarke pulled off a fine point-blank save to deny Prince.

Swifts grabbed the winner on 54 minutes when Kerry Giddings picked out strike partner Andy Wright in the centre and the former Rushall marksman headed home.

SWIFTS: Clarke 7, Mulders 7, S Wright 7, Beard 7, Davies 6, T Nicholls 8, Marsh 7, A Nicholls 7, Giddings 8, A Wright 8, GARDNER 9 (Langford 68, 5). Subs (not used): Sandhu, Hipkins.

STAR MAN: Richie Gardner.

ATTENDANCE: 148.