ANOTHER solid display from Stourport Swifts gave them hope for the season but county rivals Worcester City pinched a last-minute winner on Tuesday night.

Swifts lost 2-1 to their Dr Martens League Premier Division opponents at Walshes Meadow, courtesy of Adam Webster sweeping in a cross by substitute Duncan Willetts.

It was hard luck on Tim Langford's men who had clawed their way back into the match and equalised through their player-manager in the 73rd minute.

City started impressively and were rewarded with a Mark Owen goal on 21 minutes, volleying home Webster's cross after good build-up work from Michael Blackwood.

Owen earlier saw an effort disallowed for offside, while Marc Burrow had to be stretchered off after just two minutes with a back spasm.

If City deserved a half-time lead, Swifts had given enough indications of their threat.

Richard Gardner missed a glorious chance, blazing over unmarked from eight yards on 25 minutes, while Jan Mulders then saw a close-range effort cleared.

Asa Charlton sent a free-kick narrowly wide and Langford spurned an opportunity after breaching the City back-line. At the other end, Owen sent a shot fizzing over the bar.

After the break, Stourport upped their work-rate and, with challenges flying in left, right and centre, City found it difficult to retain possession.

Exploiting space behind Carl Heeley and Mark Shail, Langford was on hand to punish sloppy defensive work, sliding home a Tim Nicholls cross.

But Worcester grabbed the late winner after giving Swifts a better test than Telford did on Saturday, according to Langford.

SWIFTS: Hipkins, Mulders, Ulfig, Charlton, Davies, T Nicholls, Stainer, Crisp, Edwards, Langford, Gardner. Subs used: Laker, Webb, S Wright, J Beard, Giddings.