IN the programme notes for his first match in charge, new Stourport manager Roy Rencher promised attractive football for the hardy Walshes Meadow faithful.

And at home to Paulton Rovers on Tuesday his players delivered - at least until the torrential rain turned the match into a lottery.

While unhappy with a 3-2 defeat to the West Country visitors, Rencher must have been delighted with some of the play with newcomers Shaun Findlay and Adam Hughes impressing in midfield while Tom Coley had an excellent game in defence alongside veteran Russell Dodds, making his debut.

And it was Stourport who opened the scoring on 33 minutes. Good work from strike pair Nathan Jackson and Richard Burgess resulted in the latter picking out Danny Bragoli on the far side of the area who shot home from 15 yards.

Two goals in five minutes just before the break put Paulton in control, Ben Cleverley equalising with a well-struck free-kick through the wall before the former Cheltenham Town midfielder crossed for defender Mike Kilgour to head home unchallenged.

Hughes and Findlay would have hauled their side level had it not been for visiting keeper Ken Scrivens and Swifts were made to rue those misses when Sean Saville netted a third for the visitors on 75 minutes.

Findlay reduced the arrears with an 80th minute penalty after Burgess had been upended but the equaliser eluded Rencher's side.

Swifts (v Paulton): Fullwood 5, Coley 7, Skitt 6, Dodds 6 (Sherwood 53, 6), M Jones 5, A HUGHES 8, Bragoli 6, Findlay 6, Jackson 7 (Richards 80), Burgess 6, C Hughes 5 (Childs 33, 5). Subs (not used): Volosanovs, Atkinson.

And what made the display all the more pleasing was that it followed a dismal 5-0 thrashing at Brackley Town - Stourport's worst defeat of the season.

The home side's player-manager Mike Ford struck a first half double, including a lob over keeper Craig Ladek from near the half-way line, with Matt Murphy and Paul Spacey also scoring before the break. Robbie Beard netted the fifth in the second half.

The match was the last for keeper Ladek who moved to Midland Alliance side Studley at the start of the week.

Swifts (v Brackley): Ladek 4, Coley 5, Small 4 (Skitt 61, 5), Jones 4, A HUGHES 6, McLoughlin 5, C Hughes 4 (Sherwood 81), Bragoli 5, Jackson 5, Findlay 5, Atkinson 4 (Volosanovs 46, 5). Subs (not used): Farley, Franklin.