STOURPORT'S fine run of form came to an end at Rushall Olympic as Roy Rencher's side crashed to a 2-0 defeat on New Year's Eve.

And although they recovered with a 1-1 draw at home to Bromsgrove Rovers two days later, Swifts still face an uphill task to climb away from the drop-zone.

Second half goals from former Stourport midfielder Richie Gardner and Marcus Jackson gave fellow strugglers Rushall the points.

Gardner opened the scoring on 50 minutes, collecting a Dean Baker pass before firing past Erik Pudaloff.

Jackson doubled the lead on 72 minutes before Swifts finished strongly and were unlucky not to net a consolation.

Substitute Chris Hughes grabbed Stourport's goal in their bank holiday clash with Bromsgrove after a 65th minute mistake by former Harriers keeper Tim Clarke.

But the visitors were level a minute later when Wayne Dyer found the net through a crowd of players. Late pressure almost won it for Rovers when Ben Porter fluffed and Scott Hadland both went close.

Swifts visit Ashford Town in Essex in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday.