SWIFTS 0, CIRENCESTER 1

STOURPORT could claim an 'A' for effort but rarely looked like scoring in a 1-0 home defeat to on-song Cirencester Town in the Dr Martens Western Division.

The Gloucestershire side marched up to fourth in the table by extending their unbeaten league run to an impressive 14 matches.

Solid defending kept Swifts' front pair Rob Taylor and Andy Wright quiet for much of the game although visiting keeper Paul Thompson needed to produce several saves.

Taylor had the pick of the chances on 11 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball and forced Thompson into a full-length dive to divert his first-time volley around the post.

Sub John Hayward was the other to test the rotund stopper, his 90th minute strike looking destined for the bottom corner until Thompson produced another excellent stop.

But, between these two opportunities, Swifts showed some excellent touches only to fall short of the mark in the final quarter.

The only goal of the game came on 18 minutes through former Cheltenham forward Gareth Hopkins.

Mike Davis whipped in a cross from the left which Stourport keeper Lee Evans failed to collect and Hopkins headed into the unguarded net.

As the first half drew to a close, Jody Bevan had an effort blocked by Dave Davies, while Evans almost made up for his early misjudgement by turning Andy McCabe's drive around the post.

Swifts played the better football after the break with the visitors content to soak up the pressure as their back-three of Alan Bird, Matt McEntegar and skipper Garry Wooton were in excellent form.

Davies managed to head over on the hour but Hopkins also went close with another header, diverting a near-post corner inches too high.

Ronnie Sayer's departure with another dislocated shoulder took away Stourport's invention although Kerry Giddings did his utmost to make up the shortfall with his boundless determination.

SWIFTS: Evans 6, Jones 5, Ulfig 6 (Hayward 90), Davies 8, Powell 6, Jukes 5, GIDDINGS 8, Sayer 7 (Kavanagh 66, 6), Taylor 7 (Willetts 69, 6), Wright 6 Webb 7. Subs not used: Harris, Cotterill.

STAR MAN: Kerry Giddings.

ATTENDANCE: 106.