RICHARD Ball leapt off the bench to score a debut goal and deny his former Stourport Swifts team-mates maximum points in a 2-2 draw at Halesowen Town.

The striker linked up with Swifts' Dr Martens Western Division rivals at the start of the week and celebrated a lucrative two-year contract with a goal just six minutes after joining the fray.

A mistake by Steve Ulfig allowed Ball to pounce and he steered his shot past keeper Lee Evans from 12 yards.

It was cruel on Dave Titterton's side who had coasted into a two-goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes.

Ronnie Sayer bagged the opener on 14 minutes when he turned a Richard Kavanagh free-kick into the net from six yards.

And Kavanagh, up against his old club, was again the inspiration behind Stourport's second.

His 25th minute corner found Swifts' debutant Nathan Jukes and the impressive former Evesham and Worcester midfielder headed home.

But controversy surrounded Halesowen's first goal of the afternoon on 29 minutes when dangerous winger Simon Hollis lofted a high cross into the area.

Although Evans appeared to collect it safely, both keeper and ball were bundled over the line by Dominic Reece.

Tempers began to boil over on the stroke of half-time when Andy Wright was sent crashing to the floor by Darren Grocutt only for the referee to wave play-on.

With the scores levelled midway through the second half, Swifts had to endure some heavy pressure late on with Ball, Steve Piearce and Jason Ashby all trying in vain to grab a Halesowen winner.

SWIFTS: Evans 7, Mark Jones 7, Ulfig 7, Powell 7, Davies 7, JUKES 8, Cotterill 7, Sayer 7 (Giddings 48, 6), Kavanagh 7, Dunn 6, Wright 7 (Webb 72). Subs not used: Mark A Jones, Harris, Price.

STAR MAN: Nathan Jukes.

ATTENDANCE: 584.