STOURPORT Swifts are back in the relegation doldrums after slumping to a dismal 4-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Ashford Town in the Southern League Western Division One.
Three goals in the final stages made sure of victory for the Middlesex side but Swifts rarely looked like scoring.
To make matters worse defender Paul Hatton was sent off 10 minutes from time for what the referee deemed to be a professional foul.
Gavin Smith and Scott Harris shared the goals between them as Ashford cruised to the win that took them to the top of the table.
Smith tapped in the opener from close range on 19 minutes but it took Harris until nine minutes from time before he doubled the lead after Ricky Wellard's shot had been parried out by Stourport keeper Eric Pudaloff.
The visitors had briefly threatened early in the second half but all they had to show for their endeavours was a Rory May header that sailed over the crossbar and a Lee Ross chance that was also off target.
But with Stourport down to 10 men, Ashford finished with a flourish with Smith netting his second of the afternoon on 88 minutes before Harris completed the scoring in injury time.
Swifts will be hoping to bounce back when they host sixth-placed Marlow at Walshes Meadow on Saturday.
Swifts: Pudaloff 7, Dodd 4 (Sherwood 26, 6), O'Sullivan 5, Hatton 6, JENKINS 8, Webb 6, Hughes 6 (Farley 71), Burgess 5, May 4 (Ludlow 89), Ross 5, Robinson 5. Subs (not used): Hawker, Gardiner.
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