STOURPORT eased their way to three points with a 2-1 victory at Worcestershire neighbours Redditch United in the Dr Martens Western Division.

The winning margin could have been far greater had the woodwork and keeper Harvey Willetts not saved the home side's blushes as they were torn apart by the Swifts early on.

On three minutes, Adam Nicholls thundered a free-kick against the post on his return to his former club.

The rebound fell to another ex-Red Simon Marsh but his diving header hit the crossbar.

Less than a minute later, skipper Lea Shaw's 30-yard effort was tipped over the bar by Willetts.

The breakthrough came on six minutes when Shaw's quick free-kick found Tim Langford who darted into the box before glancing a header past the Redditch keeper.

Still the visitors pushed forward and Willetts did well to turn a Marsh effort around the post, while Alex Cowley's snap-shot hit the upright.

Redditch had more possession at the start of the second half but it took them until the 72nd minute for their first shot on target.

A 20-yard effort from Mark Swann was gathered comfortably by Rob Clarke.

By then, Swifts had chances to increase their tally with Lee Booth twice denied by Willetts.

The Redditch equaliser, on 76 minutes, was cruel on the visitors, coming from a defensive error.

A Jan Mulders header hit United substitute Michael Campbell and after the nippy striker lured Clarke from his goal, he squared for Paul Danks to net with ease.

However, Swifts hit back just three minutes later when Booth grabbed his seventh of the season, prodding the ball into the bottom corner.

Swifts: Clarke 6, Hackett 8, Charlton 6, Mulders 7, Davies 6 (Knight 76), Shaw 9, Cowley 7 (Southwick 78), Nicholls 7, Langford 7 (Harvey 71), Booth 6, Marsh 8. STAR MAN: Lea Shaw.

Star striker Booth continued his fine goal-scoring form by netting in each half to steer Stourport Swifts to a 2-0 victory at home to Gresley in the league on Saturday.

But the victory was as much to do with the heroics of a Stourport defence pulled together in the absence of suspended regulars Quentin Townsend and Steve Ulfig.

Mulders, Brendan Hackett and Dave Davies were in dominant mood with Asa Charlton also playing his part in a battling display that kept the visitors at bay.

Gresley set their stall out right from the whistle, twice going close inside the opening three minutes.

Barely a minute had gone when Stuart Evans rose to head a Chris Gray cross goalwards only to be denied by a fine reflex save from Clarke.

Moments later, Clarke dropped a high cross at the feet of Chris Parkins but regained his composure to palm the striker's shot away.

As the half went on, the chances switched to the other end with Langford and Booth going close before the breakthrough on 44 minutes.

Cowley whipped over a fine right-wing cross for Booth who steered his header into the top corner of keeper James Lindley's net.

Booth chipped another effort onto the bar on 53 minutes before Swifts had penalty appeals waved away after Cowley appeared to be wrestled to the ground by Evans.

Further Stourport appeals were better received 15 minutes from time when Langford was hacked down and Booth drilled home the spot-kick.

Sub Nathan Harvey nearly marked his debut with a goal.

Swifts: Clarke 7, Hackett 7 (Knight 71), Charlton 9, Mulders 8, Davies 8, Shaw 8, Cowley 7 (Cooper 82), Nicholls 8, Langford 8 (Harvey 77), Booth 8, Marsh 7.

STAR MAN: Asa Charlton.