STOURPORT Swifts' five-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a 3-2 Dr Martens Western Division defeat at deserving winners Cirencester.

Swifts, out of action for a week, were caught napping as the home side took a ninth-minute lead and then proceeded to dominate.

Scott Griffin opened the scoring with a left foot rocket from 25-yards with the ball going in off the Stourport upright.

And Ben Fitch should have added a second for the Centurions on 13 minutes but his free header was well over the bar.

It was all hands to the pump again for the Swifts defence as both Mark Jones and Richard Ball both headed off the line mid-way through the first half as the home side looked to turn possession into goals.

Manager Dave Titterton's interval team chat must have had some effect on the Swifts as they came storming out of the traps to equalise in a minute of the restart.

Ball was found unmarked at the back post by Kerry Giddings and he easily headed Swifts back into the match from six yards with his ninth goal from as many games.

But the home side were back in front within a blink of an eye and two goals in five minutes all but killed off the game.

First Griffin broke free on the right and found an unmarked Gareth Hopkins who added his name to the scoresheet with the easiest of tap-ins.

Adam Mayo made it three for the Centurions on 53 minutes with a top-drawer right-foot volley from just outside the area.

The Swifts manager threw on Rob Taylor and Ronnie Sayer, both returning from injury, for the final 15 minutes.

Taylor responded with a well-taken consolation five minutes from time but it was too late for Swifts to rescue a result.

SWIFTS: Evans 5, Cotterill 6, Ulfig 6, Jones 5, Webb 6, Harris 6, Giddings 6 (Sayer 75), Wright 6 (Wood 65, 6), BALL 8, Dunn 7, Hawkes 5 (Taylor 75). Subs (not used): Hayward, Kilgour.

STAR MAN: Richard Ball.

ATTENDANCE: 154.