HALESOWEN TOWN 4 SWIFTS 3

A SECOND-HALF comeback by Stourport Swifts failed to halt Halesowen Town's progress into the FA Trophy first round as the home side grabbed victory with a goal six minutes from time.

Lively Halesowen took a deserved fifth-minute lead when Leon Mitchell turned defender Dave Davies on the edge of the box and delivered the perfect ball for the unmarked Lewis Baker to head in at the far post.

Worse was to follow for Swifts when, on 22 minutes, dangerman Mitchell again terrorised Davies whose ungainly challenge was punished with a yellow card and a free-kick 18-yards from goal.

Stourport old boy Asa Charlton's effort beat the wall and although keeper Lee Evans parried, the ball fell to the predatory Mitchell who blasted in from close range.

With the hosts dominating most of the first half, Stourport upset the apple cart with a 41st-minute header by striker James Wood, provided by Mark Jones' well-flighted free-kick.

Jason Ashby regained Town's two-goal advantage on 51 minutes, scrambling the ball over the line following a good move between Richard Colwell and Mitchell.

But Swifts dug deep and started their comeback on 70 minutes when Richard Ball converted from the penalty spot after Wood had been up-ended by home keeper Matt Lowe.

Substitute Andy Wright needed just 11 minutes on the pitch before he levelled with a 83rd-minute strike into the top corner.

Swifts looked to be back in the contest but hopes of a replay were ended just moments later when, on the break, Simon Hollis calmly placed the winner into the net from 12 yards.

SWIFTS: Evans 7, Cotterill 7, Ulfig 6, Jones 7, Davies 6, Harris 7 (Wright 72), Taylor 7 (Sayer 61, 6), HYDE 8, Ball 6, Wood 6 (Hawkes 80), Webb 5. Subs not used: Kilgour, Haywood.

STAR MAN: Jamie Hyde.

ATTENDANCE: 421.