Stourport Swifts 1, Woodford United 0

SWIFTS may have struggled to finish off a gritty Woodford side but that will hardly matter to boss Neil Hunt after these three points further eased their relegation worries.

Richard Burgess bagged the goal on 32 minutes but the Stourport heroes were keeper Craig Ladek and his defence who had to withstand a late onslaught.

Burgess could have handed the home side the lead after just three minutes but, after taking the ball past his marker, saw his shot parried by keeper Matt Finlay.

The striker had another effort saved midway through the half but finally found a way past Finlay when he stabbed a volley into the net through a crowded area.

While the keepers had little to do at the start of the second half, the referee was kept busy as the card count mounted - seven yellows being dished out, the majority to the visitors.

And as the game went on, it was Woodford who began to take control, pinning their hosts back for much of the final 15 minutes.

Recent signing Sam Ibrahim chipped an effort against the crossbar on 74 minutes and was denied by Ladek's save moments later.

And there was better to come from the Swifts keeper as he blocked a point blank Craig Pearman header before tipping a long-range Anthony Powell effort over the bar.

Injury time saw Stourport almost add a second on the break but Duncan Willetts shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Swifts: Ladek 8, Smith 8, ROBINSON 9, Jukes 7, Tomkins 6, Frost 6, Fitter 8, Wood 6, Burgess 7 (Lavery 79), Willetts 6, Ballinger 7. Subs (not used): Harris, Williams, McComisky, Andrews.