STOURPORT Swifts accounted for Dr Marten's League opposition for the second successive round when they scored a 1-0 away verdict over Atherstone United in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday.

Having disposed of Racing Club Warwick in a preliminary round, the Midland Football Alliance side again raised their game to see off higher-graded opposition.

But they had to survive a late penalty scare and eight minutes of stoppage time before clinching victory.

They will now meet their winners of the Bromsgrove-Oldbury replay in the second qualifying round.

A scrappy first half at Atherstone saw only two goal attempts, both falling to the Swifts.

In the eighth minute Alex Cowley dribbled through the home defence only to shoot into the side netting, and a minute from the break Matt Southwick went one-to-one with the Adders keeper who saved with his legs.

Swifts continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock after the break but Simon Marsh was denied by the crossbar when he got in a header following an overhead kick by Liam Meenan.

But the visitors got their reward on the hour when a quick free-kick by Lea Shaw was headed through to Lee Booth who netted from a rebound after his first shot was blocked.

The Adders had to wait until the 64th minute for their first serious attempt on goal and then Rob Clarke made a good save from a 20-yard free-kick.

Atherstone looked set to claim a dramatic 86th minute equaliser when they won a disputed penalty but Jones fired his spot-kick well wide.

The referee added on eight minutes of stoppage time and the game ended in farcical circumstances when Mark Dearlove was sent off.

He was convinced the referee had blown for full-time and so punched the ball in an impromptu victory celebration - but the referee showed him the red card for deliberate handball.

Another four minutes were played before he blew for time.

On Saturday Swifts meet Kings Heath in the FA Carlsberg Vase second qualifying round at the Walshes, kick-off 3pm.