STOURPORT Swifts swept aside hosts Gloucester City 2-1 to maintain their impressive run of Dr Martens Western Division form which has seen them climb clear of the relegation zone.

Swifts have lost just once in their last six matches and with games looming against strugglers Racing Club Warwick, Swindon Supermarine and Atherstone, a mid-table finish looks highly likely.

Andy Wright and Richard Ball may have been Stourport's goal heroes but it was far from one-way traffic and giant defender Dave Davies provided stubborn resistance.

Gloucester were looking for a repeat showing of their six-goal rout of Swifts' Worcestershire neightbours Evesham in midweek.

Visiting keeper John Danby was the busier of the two keepers before the break, keeping out two free-kicks from Gloucester's Will Steadman.

But Swifts battled back and took the lead on 58 minutes through Wright.

Good work from Craig Webb saw him weave past two defenders before hoisting the ball over City keeper Matt Bath for the forward to nod into the unguarded net.

Wright was left needing treatment after the goal due to clashing heads with Gloucester's Neil Griffiths.

John Shirley went close to adding a second for the visitors with a fierce 20-yard shot that flew just over the bar.

Tempers had threatened to boil over throughout the game but matters hotted up 15 minutes from time.

Gloucester player-manager Chris Burns, only on the pitch for eight minutes, was sent off after throwing a punch at Simon Marsh.

But the home side drew level on 84 minutes when Lee Smith was sent sprawling inside the area by Steve Ulfig and Andy Hoskins drilled home the resulting penalty.

However, Swifts hit back and bagged their winner three minutes from time when keeper Bath failed to collect a cross and top scorer Ball was on hand to turn the ball home.

SWIFTS: Danby 8, Webb 8, Ulfig 8, Newall 8, DAVIES 9, Harris 8, Blake 8 (Nicholls 83), Marsh 8, Ball 8, A Wright 8 (Willetts 8), Shirley 8. Subs (not used): S Wright, Hawkes, Titterton.

STAR MAN: David Davies.

ATTENDANCE: 309.