Rocester 2, Stourport Swifts 1

Swifts returned from Staffordshire empty-handed despite taking the lead in this mid-table tussle.

But it could have been a different story had they not had a goal disallowed early in the second half – moments before Rocester bagged their winner.

The controversy came on 48 minutes when a Jamie Willets shot crashed against the underside of the bar and bounced on the line before being cleared. The ball looked as though it had hit the roof of the net as well as the woodwork but the referee turned down the appeals.

Three minutes later, Rob Richie-Smith turned home a corner for the Romans to secure the points.

Swifts started well and had the better of the first half.

Ben Maund led the line in the absence of both John Griffin and Lewis Pountney and he handed the visitors a 16th minute lead, collecting an Ashley Parsons-Smith pass before curling an effort beyond the Rocester keeper from the edge of the area.

Tom Land hauled the home side level with a header on 25 minutes and Dan Brown had a header cleared off the line by Stourport defender Jamie Hyde.

Even after Rocester had taken the lead after the break there were chances for Swifts, the best falling to young substitute Josh Williams who ran on to a through ball only to push his shot wide of the target.

Home keeper Richard Froggatt was also called into action to keep out a Willets shot on the hour.

Swifts: Bunn 6, Hurrell 6, Hyde 7, Beaumont 6, Willets 7, Walker 6, Parsons-Smith 7, Wollacott 6, MAUND 9, Scheppel 6 (Williams 51, 6), Hickman 6 (Curtis 70, 6). Sub (not used): Kier