UPBEAT Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton refused to criticise his players after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat against visitors Taunton Town last night.

It was the first Dr Martens Western Division defeat in five games for the new Walshes Meadow boss and provided the West Country visitors with an undeserved three points.

All the goals arrived in a bizarre error-ridden eight minutes and kept Swifts fifth from bottom in the table.

They had looked the better side going into the final stages before keeper Rob Clarke slipped as he took a goal-kick and substitute Steve Jenkins punished the mistake for the 78th-minute opener.

Five minutes from time, Gary Fisher saw his shot deflected past the unfortunate Clarke who then collided with defender Dave Davies just 50 seconds later, allowing Fisher to tap home his second.

The result was cruel on Stourport and Clarke in general who had produced excellent first-half saves to deny Leon Hapgood, Craig Russell and Dave Peckham.

Another stop denied Tom Kelly in the second half while, at the other end, Tim Nicholls, Kerry Giddings and Jamie Stainer went close before the break.

And Swifts midfielder Leon Blake forced Taunton Town keeper Ryan Draper into action on the hour.

Titterton said: "I told the lads that there was no way I was going to start ranting and raving because we deserved to get something out of it.

"I thought we were by far the superior team and dominated until we conceded.

"We were so deflated after we had conceded and yet we could have been done and dusted by half-time with the chances that we had."

Former Coventry City, Wycombe Wanderers and Hereford United player Titterton made his debut for Swifts as a late substitute.

SWIFTS: Clarke 7, Shirley 6, Ulfig 6, Mulders 7, Davies 7, NICHOLLS 8, Blake 7, Harris 6, Moore 7, Giddings 6, Stainer 6 (Titterton 87). Subs (not used): Fletcher, Malpass, Sall, Laker.

STAR MAN: Tim Nicholls.

ATTENDANCE: 97.