TEN-MAN Stourport Swifts just failed to hang onto an away victory as fellow Midland Alliance promotion challengers Stourbridge forced a 2-2 draw with a late goal.

Swifts saw Matt Southwick sent off on Tuesday night for two yellow cards 10 minutes into the second half while they were 2-1 up.

And despite withstanding pressure, Rod Brown's brave troops finally cracked at the death.

Earlier, Lee Booth's two goals had put Swifts ahead before half-time.

Swifts assistant manager Gary Whild said: "We are disappointed but on reflection we have to be satisfied with the point.

"If we had stayed with 11 men, we would probably have got a better result. But with 10 men, it was backs to the wall."

After Stourbridge's early opener, Swifts went on to settle down and the prolific Booth equalised with a good finish inside the 18-yard box.

He fired them ahead from the penalty spot after a handball to score his 34th league goal, beating the record of 32.

Although Stourbridge equalised, Swifts managed to control the home side's own goal-king Mickey Moore.

Whild was "puzzled" when the league appointed a referee who had travelled over from South Africa.

He admitted: "Although he didn't influence the result, he wasn't in touch with the players which you are looking for in a match like that."

Swifts, four points behind leaders Barwell, have no time to relax with four games in seven days in a packed league and cup programme.