FORMER West Brom star Des Lyttle outclassed high-flying Ilkeston and lifted Stourport Swifts out of the bottom four with a 3-1 away win.

Lyttle headed home a 12th-minute corner and then produced a diagonal pass for Steven Hawkes to score six minutes later on Tuesday night.

The quick double strike knocked the stuffing out of the home side who needed a win to return to the Dr Marten's Western Division top three.

But there was no chance of that as Swifts clocked up their third victory of the season.

Delighted manager Dave Titterton said: "We've been dying to do that to someone all season and it came right.

"Des made a massive difference but this was a great team performance, especially as we had seven out with injuries or being unavailable."

While Ilkeston revived themselves after going two goals adrift, they were defied by their former keeper Lee Evans, who made a string of fine saves.

The contest was settled with a great goal from Richard Ball, his fifth in six games.

Ball drew three defenders, turned the ball onto his left foot and swept home a 20-yard shot on 51 minutes.

Evans was finally beaten when American midfielder Marc Laws headed in a 58th-minute free-kick.

But, soon after, he reached a Danny Holyoak header, pushing it to safety via a post.

The 20-year-old keeper, who did not get a chance at Ilkeston, had the broadest grin at the final whistle.

Evans said: "I just want regular football and that's what I'm getting."

SWIFTS: Evans 8, Cotterill 7, Ulfig 7, LYTTLE 9, Webb 7, Harris 7, Hawkes 8 (Giddings 55, 7), Sayer 6 (Hayward 74), Ball 8, Dunn 6, Jones M 6. Subs not used: Titterton, Humber, Kilgour.

STAR MAN: Des Lyttle.

ATTENDANCE: 277.