HOCKEY: A first defeat since the Christmas break pushed Stourport back into the National League Division One relegation play-off place.

Two early goals gave the town problems on Saturday and they eventually fell 3-2 at high-fliers Beeston, failing to play with the fluidity of recent games.

Stourport are one point behind with a game in hand on Brooklands who they entertain in a key clash on Sunday.

Bournville jumped up the table after beating bottom side Barford Tigers 2-1 and drawing 2-2 with Belper.

For Stourport, they fell behind on five minutes against Beeston who had established a two-goal lead midway through the first half via a quick counter-attack.

But there was hope for the Wyre Forest side late in the period when Laith El Khatib finished off a four-man passing move.

Beeston regained the two-goal cushion after the restart but the in-form Matt Ruxton drilled home a second field goal for the visitors.

Stourport had a potential equaliser disallowed when the unsighted umpires adjudged the ball had touched a foot on its way into the net.

Stourport 2nds 2 West Bridgford 3

Stourport got off to a good start and created clear openings despite having to field several players out of position.

Though West Bridgford looked dangerous on the counter-attack, Stourport broke the deadlock after a series of short corners earned by Tom White's skills.

From the fourth, Nick Gray's drag flick was stopped on the line but Steve Ellis slammed home the rebound.

Bridgford equalised quickly on the break but Stourport's lead was soon restored through White's penalty after a foul on Gray.

However, the visitors took advantage of an extra man in midfield to score two goals in 10 minutes and win the game.

Stourport, who won 14 short corners, saw a decisive penalty saved.

Stourport 2nds 2

Loughborough Students 5

The next day, Stourport conceded two sloppy goals from short corners in the first five minutes against the table toppers.

A break-away put Loughborough three ahead in the second period but White pulled a goal back from an acute angle.

Ben Grey flicked home Stourport's second from a short corner but the students scored two more with the last a controversial effort.

Shrewsbury 1 Stourport 3rds 3

Despite being without top scorer David Knott, two short-corners by Rob Lashford and a good finish from Mark McKinnon gave Stourport victory.

There was some controversy when keeper Dan Baldwin was red carded for retaliating after being assaulted.

Luke Martin took over in goal and conceded a late consolation goal.

Stourport 4ths 2 Worcester 3

Godfrey Lamb bagged both goals from short corners, while danger man Andy Watson was closely guarded.

Several youngsters acquitted themselves well in the team though John Shackleton was Stourport's key man, building from the back and snuffing out attacks.

Olton 1 Stourport 5ths 4

Young Gareth Whale took the honours with a match-winning brace rewarding his work-rate.

Neil Thomas scored a goal on his return from long-term injury and Robin Conway added another from a short corner.

Stourport 6ths 6 Kings Heath 1

The home side dominated from start to finish. Many of the young players who began the season under skipper Kevin Hughes have now moved upwards.

Stourport U-15s 3 Beeston 0

The town's teenagers made the Hockey Association Plate Competition last eight after overpowering their opponents.

Stourport led 2-0 up at half-time through Alex Vale's deflected shot and a short-corner strike from Marc Edwards.

Excellent defending from Kit Panell, Andrew Cavendish, Scott Newson and Ben Everett-Li kept Beeston out.

Luke Carless added a third midway through the second period.

They travel to Deeside Ramblers, of Chester, for the quarter-final this month.

Stourport U-16s 2 Droitwich 2

A below-par display means Stourport will be hard pushed to retain the Worcestershire title they have held for the past two seasons.

A scrappy goal from Michael Shaw late in the second half gave Stourport a deserved share of the points.

Stourport's first-half goal came from Whale but only Vicky Whitehouse, Rob Farmer and James Terry came away with much credit.

Stourport's veterans, favourites along with Canterbury, have an excellent draw in the Over-40s Cup quarter-finals, a home game with Kingswinford.

Fixture, Sunday: Stourport 1sts v Brooklands (12.30pm).