Stratford Town 3, Stourport Swifts 2

A STRANGELY subdued Stratford were on the ropes for the second period of this Boxing Day clash, but it was Peter McBean who delivered the knockout blow.

Just four minutes were left on the watch when the veteran striker shrugged off the challenge of two defenders before planting the winner past Stourport keeper Mark Pardoe.

The latter looked like becoming a late Christmas pudding as Jon Brant's skills helped Town take a two goal lead after just five minutes.

The top scorer skipped to the byline in the third minute before picking up an unmarked Adie Fitzhugh to drive in the opener.

Then Brant's quick thinking and 40-yard shot rebounded off the bar with Pardoe helpless leaving McBean ample time and space to slot in Stratford's second.

Two sides with little ambitions then began to cancel each other out and there was little action at either end until both sides wasted great chances.

Warren Ayres saved in a one-on-one situation with Jamie Hart after 27 minutes and the Town keeper then did well to keep out a Lee Booth header.

Brant's thumping strike struck the bar in between the pair of Stourport efforts, who found it third time lucky when Jan Mulder headed in following a 38th minute free kick.

The next goal was going to be crucial and McBean should have secured it only to shoot wide on the stroke of half time after racing clear.

The striker then saw his 48th minute header hacked off the line before Swifts took control as the hosts sat back on their precarious lead.

Ayres did brilliantly to touch Lea Shaw's 59th minute shot on to the bar, but two minutes later the Town keeper could only watch as a helpless spectator as Hart skipped past him only to balloon the ball over the top of the empty net.

Ayres then saved from Matt Southwick but Stourport levelled after 68 minutes when Lee Booth's deflected drive hit the underside of the bar and Adrian Cooper scrambled in he equaliser.

Ayres then denied Booth and Alex Cowley fired a yard over from distance.

A series of substitutions brought a scrappy end to a thrilling contest with McBean having the last word on a day when Stratford - despite their storming start - were fortunate to snatch the points.

Lennie Derby's men have a re-arranged home game on Saturday with Kings Heath the visitors in a much delayed Birmingham Senior Cup second round tie. Next Tuesday night, Town will be bidding to get 2001 off to a winning start when they entertain Pelsall Villa (7.30).