STOURPORT Swifts went down with a whimper in round two of this year's FA Vase against Division One opponents NKF Burbage.

Swifts, who earned exemption to the second round this year after reaching the last 16 last season, could not match the energy and purpose of their Leicestershire visitors and conceded a goal in each half without ever showing they were capable of mounting a challenge.

NKF gave notice of their intentions as early as the first minute, when Tom Smith pounced to rob Swifts skipper Shaun Griffiths and shoot narrowly past the post. Twelve minutes later they were in front when Jes Adcock was first to react as Swifts struggled to clear against a strong wind, to shoot low past Richards from 18 yards.

Jack Downing forced a save from keeper Alec Hill, and Griffiths headed straight at Hill from the resulting corner as Swifts tried to find some rhythm, but Burbage showed why they had picked up four trophies last season with a tireless workrate Swifts stuggled to match. Nicol, Downing and Joe Billingham all failed to test Hill as the first half clock ticked down, but Burbage striker Jake Brown still came closest to a goal when his snapshot fizzed narrowly wide.

Downing almost levelled for the Swifts after the break, but his shot on the turn was turned wide by defender Adam Zia, and Burbage went further in front after 52 minutes when Misambo was judged to have pulled down Tom Smith in the box and skipper Nathan Astill stepped up to shoot low past Richards’right hand from the spot.

Manager Quentin Townsend made a triple substitution on the hour with MacPherson, Danks and Cooke all introduced to offer some much needed firepower, and Swifts finally began to pose a threat, with Matt Fulloway heading over the top from a Platt corner, and both MacPherson and Cooke saw shots blocked by some determined Burbage defending.

Ben Priest was sent off in the last minute after picking up his second yellow card of the match.

SWIFTS: Richards, Misambo, Griffiths, Fulloway, Jim Hanson, Canavan, Billingham, Platt, Nicol, Downing. SUBS USED: MacPherson, Danks, Cooke.

Swifts are back in Midland Premier League action at home to Coventry Sphinx this Saturday (3pm kick-off).