STOURPORT Swifts manager Rod Brown took the positives out of Saturday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Long Eaton.

Swifts had more than matched the Midland Football League leaders when they were shot down by a controversial goal.

Striker John Griffin had given 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.

United hitman Lee Fell bagged a leveller after Bunn had parried his initial shot.

But Swifts were denied a well-deserved point when Fell handled as he scored from a set-piece in the 94th minute.

Brown said: “We definitely deserved to get something from the game but the referee made an awful decision and it cost us.

“The referee said it was ball-to-hand but it was definitely hand ball.

“But I can’t take anything away from the team, we played really well and were unlucky not to get more.”

Swifts, who were set to play Causeway United on Wednesday night, are 10th in the table after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

Brown has drafted in Worcester City defender Shabir Khan for a loan spell, who has just recovered from injury.

Stourport are set to tackle Loughborough University at home on Saturday (3pm) and then tackle Lye Town at Walshes Meadow on Tuesday in the Premier Division League Cup (7.45pm).

“In the last few weeks we’ve looked good, played with good shape and I think we will be there or thereabouts this season,” said Brown.