STOURPORT Swifts slumped to their third straight away defeat as they lost 1-0 at Bilston Town in the Dr Martens Western Division.

And coming just three days after their disappointing FA Cup defeat at Hucknall Town, manager Rod Brown will be grateful that his players now have two home games to boost their confidence.

For while their away form has been below-par of late, Swifts remain a tough side to beat at Walshes Meadow, go-ing into Saturday's clash with Swindon Supermarine on the back of a seven-match unbeaten home run.

And confidence could do with a lift after Bilston cruised to victory with ease, the 1-0 scoreline flattering Stourport.

Leon Jackson netted the game's only goal on 26 minutes, turning and firing home from 15 yards, but the Steelmen could have been home and dry before then.

Adrian Baddams should have given Bilston a seventh minute lead but curled a shot wide with Swifts' keeper Rob Clarke stranded before Leon Brown had an effort cleared off the line by Jan Mulders. A weak Lee Booth header was all the Swifts could manage before the goal and things failed to improve afterwards as Mark Clifton - a former Stourport player -- drove over from 20 yards after being sent clear by Lee Rollason.

Another disappointing Booth effort followed a jinking run by Alex Cowley down the right at the start of the second half before Bilston took control once again. Jason Smith had an effort blocked ten minutes from time and then forced Clarke into a good save in the closing seconds.

Swifts: Clarke 7, Ulfig 6 (Harvey 76), Davies 6, Townsend 6 (Nicholls (T) 83), Mulders 7, Shaw 6, Dunn 6 (Cowley 37, 7), Marsh 8, Southwick 7, Booth 5, Charlton 7.