STOURPORT Swifts recovered from back-to-back Easter defeats with a solid display at Solihull Borough that earned the Walshes Meadow side a 1-1 draw.

And it was a Dr Martens Western Division performance that delighted manager Tim Langford.

Langford has seen his side claim seven points from three matches with the big-spending Birmingham outfit.

He gave Swifts the lead in the first half but former Bromsgrove man Chris Smith equalised in the second period.

The result kept Stourport ninth in the table and killed off Solihull's slim chances of catching second-placed Chippenham.

Swifts boss Langford said: "We have played Solihull three times this season and considering they have the two top scorers in this league they have not had a sniff against us.

"We can take heart from this performance. Everybody gave their all for the point and maybe we deserved all three."

That they did not escape with all of the spoils was largely down to the dismissal of skipper Dave Davies' on the hour.

The big centre-half, previously outstanding, foolishly retaliated to a robust tackle having already been cautioned in the first half.

Langford added: "I can't defend Dave Davies who stupidly kicked out and was deservedly booked - I have told him so as well.

"I think he owes the rest of the lads because they have dug deep and got the result."

Swifts went ahead in the 32nd minute after Langford picked up Kerry Giddings' lay off and drove into the bottom corner of the net from outside the box.

It was a precise finish at odds with much that had gone before.

But Solihull drew level seven minutes after the break as Smith reacted quickest to a bouncing ball to drive home from close range.

The game was far from a classic and ended with Borough also having a player dismissed.

Top-scorer Derek Hall was given the red card after he retaliated to a challenge from stand-in defender Nigel Laker.

SWIFTS: Clarke 6, Mulders 6, Laker 6, Marsh 7, DAVIES 8, A Nicholls 6, Beard 7, T Nicholls 6, Giddings 6, Langford 7, Charlton 6. Subs (not used): A Wright, S Wright, Edwards.

ATTENDANCE: 179.

STAR MAN: David Davies.