SWINDON SUPERMARINE 2, SWIFTS 1

RICHARD Kavanagh saw red as Stourport Swifts crashed to a 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Swindon Supermarine in the Dr Martens Western Division.

The battling midfielder was given his marching orders just before the interval after a confrontation involving home skipper Giles Harris.

The Wiltshire outfit started the better of the sides with Dave Toomey, Justin Miller and James Carter all close to opening the scoreline.

But they were almost undone when, on 16 minutes, Kerry Giddings lost his marker but then saw his effort saved by keeper Tom King.

Marine, who were looking for their first win in seven games to arrest their slide down the table, finally nosed ahead nine minutes before the interval.

Toomey's cross picked out Alan Young who managed to find the net from close range.

Down to 10 men for the second half, Dave Titterton's Swifts showed a little more of the fighting spirit that guided them past Stoke City in the Staffordshire Senior Cup last Wednesday.

Striker Richard Ball pulled his side level on 58 minutes with his first goal since his return to the club from Halesowen Town.

Ball blasted home a penalty at the second attempt after a Swindon player had handled in the area.

But Stourport's celebrations were cut short when, just six minutes later, the defence failed to deal with a telling Toomey cross.

Miller took full advantage, placing his shot beyond keeper Ryan Price from 12 yards.

Ball almost levelled for a second time in the closing stages but fired his effort over keeper King's crossbar.

SWIFTS: Price 6, Webb 6, Small 6, Ulfig 5, Powell 6, Shirley 6 (Harris 75), Kavanagh 4, Jones 6 (Lloyd 72), Ball 6, Giddings 5, TAYLOR 7 (Willetts 76).

STAR MAN: Rob Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 99.