Stourport Swifts 0, Gornal Athletic 1

Swifts suffered their first league defeat of the season, going down to a controversial goal late in the first half.

But they would have extended their unbeaten run had it not been for Gornal keeper James Pemberton who pulled off a string of fine saves including one to keep out a Joe Adams penalty.

It was the visitors who started the better but could not find a way through the Stourport defence until ten minutes before the break. Marvin Nisbett chased on to a pass and although keeper Haydn Whitcombe appeared to reach the ball first, the Gornal striker rolled it into the net after the ball broke loose in the challenge.

Whitcombe took a kick to the head in the process prompting a lengthy delay as he was treated on the pitch.

The controversy surrounding the goal seemed to galvanise the Swifts and they dominated the proceedings in the second half.

On 54 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Lee Whorton fouled Louis Bridges but Adams’ penalty was saved by Pemberton.

The Gornal keeper then did well to keep out a Jordan Hones effort but it was the impressive Lewis Pountney who suffered most at the hands of the shotstopper, Pemberton keeping out a handful of excellent efforts from the Stourport striker.

Swifts: Whitcombe 7, J Jones 7, Willets 6 (Smith 71), Spencer 6, Benbow 6, Walker 7, Mahon 6 (Dinsley 46, 7), Adams 7, POUNTNEY 8, Griffin 7 (P Jones 75), Bridges 6.