THERE were more "hard luck stories" from Swifts as they were knocked out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup at the hands of Halesowen Town.

The Southern League Premier Division leaders dominated for much of the game but had to rely on Simon Forsdick's strike at the start of the second half to take them through to a second round clash with Kidderminster Harriers.

Had luck been on Stourport's side it could have been Dave Titterton's side heading to Aggborough but an offside flag and the woodwork denied them in the dying stages of the game.

The first half saw Halesowen in total control but some solid defending kept them at arm's length. When Richard Burgess finally found some space in front of goal he was twice denied by home keeper Aaron O'Malley, the second of the saves an excellent stop at full-stretch.

Mark Atkinson almost gave Swifts an unlikely lead 30 seconds into the second half when he pounced on a poor clearance from visiting keeper Chris Taylor but the Halesowen stopper recovered in time to keep out the shot.

Three minutes later and it was the visitors who took the lead. Former Stourport favourite Alex Cowley exchanges passes on the edge of the area before skewing his shot across goal where Forsdick was lurking to drill low past O'Malley.

The final stages saw Swifts finally come to life but Dan Mason's 88th minute strike, off a Halesowen defender, was ruled out by the offside flag.

Two minutes later, with the game entering injury time, Mason tried again but this time saw his thundering drive thump against the upright with keeper Taylor beaten.

Stourport: O'MALLEY 7, Jones (M) 6, Shirley 7, Webb 6, Jones (A) 7, Lloyd 5 (Hayward 64 - Titterton 74), Checketts 6, Sayer 7, Giddings 5 (Hawkes 64, 5), Atkinson 6, Mason 7. Subs (not used): Crisp, Gittings.