SWIFTS 1, GRESLEY 1

CAPTAIN John Shirley scored a vital second-half header to secure a point for Stourport Swifts against a Gresley side still looking for their first Dr Martens Western Division win.

Swifts found themselves a goal down by half-time but it took Shirley, in his last game for the club before a move south, just three minutes into the second period to drag the teams level.

Shirley headed a Mark Jones cross home from six yards out but other than the goal the sparse Swifts crowd had little cheer about at this lunch-time kick-off.

Carnival Day it may have been in Stourport but there was little evidence of any festivities out on the pitch with strike pair Andy Wright and Richard Ball having a barren afternoon.

It was the visitors who made most of the running through their five new signings as manager Gary Norton blooded half a new team.

They included striker Shaun Harrad on loan from Notts County and the 19-year-old put them in front on just 18 minutes.

In an attack made by three of the newcomers, keeper Dale Belford pumped the ball up to striker Steve Lenagh who turned with ease before putting Harrad through one-on-one with keeper Lee Evans.

The hitman kept his composure to coolly slot home and Swifts could have been two down when Jamie Barrett's effort struck the inside of Evans' post on the half-hour mark.

Despite Rovers' dominance and chances, it was Swifts striker Ball who could have won it at the death after Shirley's equaliser.

The former West Brom youngster broke free of the tiring Gresley defence only to have his shot kept out by Belford and cleared for a corner.

SWIFTS: EVANS 8, Jones 6, Ulfig 6, Newall 6, Mulders 5 (Davies 45, 7) Harris 5, Shirley 6, Giddings 5 (Webb 45, 7), Ball 6, Wright 8, Cotterill 7. Subs (not used): Sayer, Dunn, Hayward.

STAR MAN: Lee Evans.

ATTENDANCE: 83.