Swifts seething after Long Eaton bag late winner

SWIFTS were left seething as a controversial injury time goal cost them a battling point at league leaders Long Eaton.

Rod Brown’s side, who had beaten another of the title contenders, Coleshill Town, in midweek, looked to have earned a draw only for their hopes to be dashed in the 94th minute.

A last gasp set-piece was played into the Stourport box where United striker Lee Fell appeared to handle the ball. With the visitors appealing for handball, Brad Wells slotted home to secure all three points.

The late winner was harsh on Swifts who had been a match for their hosts throughout.

Striker John Griffin gave them the perfect start with an eighth minute opener, latching on to a long clearance from keeper Brendan Bunn before taking a couple of touches and firing home.

There was almost a second for Stourport ten minutes later when defender Jamie Willets rose to meet a corner only to see his effort clear the crossbar.

Long Eaton raised their game after the break and duly levelled within two minutes of the restart when Fell turned in the loose ball after Bunn had parried a shot.

Undeterred, the visitors continued to press and had chances to regain the lead.

On 84 minutes a Michael Briscoe free-kick found Willets but this time his header was wide of the mark.

And with injury time approaching, some good work involving Jamie Hyde, Lewis Pountney and Griffin threatened to slice open the Long Eaton defence until the ball was cleared in the nick of time.

Swifts: Bunn 7, Parsons-Smith 7, Willets 7, Briscoe 7, Khan 7 (Spencer 66, 6), Walker 8, Dinsley 7, Hurrell 7 (Hyde 76), Pountney 7, GRIFFIN 8 (Morris 90), Maund 7. Sub (not used): Lavery