STOURPORT Swifts have been handed a lifeline in their bid to avoid relegation from the Southern League Division One Midlands.

The Walshes Meadow club are currently propping up the table with 31 points from 38 games.

But, following the merger between Solihull Borough and Moor Green to become Solihull Moors, only the bottom club will be relegated.

Normally two are demoted but Solihull Moors, who will play in Nationwide North next season, will take the place of the second-from-bottom club.

Phil Mullen's side, beaten 3-2 by Evesham on Saturday and 1-0 at Chasetown on Monday, have not won in 11 games and still have leaders Brackley and play-off-chasing Stourbridge and Cinderford to face.

But chairman Chris Reynolds, who will watch Swifts host Bedworth United on Saturday (3pm), said: "I would rather play the top sides. We were 2-0 up against Evesham and to lose 3-2 was just a kick in the teeth. Evesham are third and we played them off the park for 75 minutes.

"Chasetown scored early but a draw would have been a fair result."

Midfielder Craig Webb remains a doubt for the Bedworth match with a stomach strain and on-loan defender Scott Stamps is struggling with a back problem.

However, Swifts will not get a reprieve under proposed restructuring plans if they finish bottom.

The Unibond League wants to add another division to its second teir to bring it in line with the Southern and Ryman leagues.

A shortage of teams means they will be forced to recruit from other leagues such as the North West Counties and Northern Counties East.

Chasetown, Rushall Olympic, Willenhall Town and Sutton Coldfield have also been earmarked to move across in such circumstances from Division One Midlands.

However, any restructuring will not affect promotion and relegation, meaning Swifts would go down if they finish bottom.

Reynolds added: "We have big plans for next season but we want to be in Division One Midlands."