STOURPORT Swifts earned a creditable 2-2 draw against Midlands Premier title-chasers Alvechurch.

The Walshes Meadow outfit built on Saturday’s 4-0 win over Lye with a spirited display against their Worcestershire rivals on Tuesday night.

The two sides had been evenly-matched in the first half but Swifts saw Reece Wager sent off for a second bookable offence.

Nathaniel Waite punished the dismissal when he scored from the resulting free kick.

But Stourport responded well and substitute James Hill levelled with a superb free-kick.

Joe Philips then fired them ahead but the second-placed visitors poured forward and Dan Ashton earned Church a point.

Swifts boss Phillips said: “In the end it was a very good point considering our circumstances.

“The first half had been even and Reece’s sending was harsh as the tackle he was booked for was committed by someone else.

“But James Hill’s leveller was fantastic and Joe rounded the keeper to give us the lead.

“Alvechurch pulled level but there were six or seven minutes of added time so we hung on.”

Swifts had also been too strong for Lye at the weekend, with goals for Wager, Phillips, Reece Shilvock and Matthew Fulloway.

Phillips said: “This year is all about stabilising, we’ve just come into the club and there’s a lot of young players.”

Swifts have three games in a week, tackling Cadbury Athletic in the Polymac League Cup away tonight (7.45pm ko), before resuming the league at home to Brocton on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and Continental Star on Tuesday (7.45pm ko).