Long Eaton United 2, Stourport Swifts 3

NICK MacPherson banished Stourport Swifts’ away day blues to give them their first away win of the season at third-placed Long Eaton.

The home side, unbeaten at home in eight games this season, were forced back in the early stages as Swifts began with purpose, and Jack Downing and Aaron Brett both went close in the first few minutes.

After 12 minutes Brett blazed wide from a Mark Danks cross with the goal at his mercy from six yards out before MacPherson finally gave Swifts the goal their early pressure deserved, turning a neat header just inside the right hand post from Danks’ corner.

Dom Richards came to the rescue on the stroke of half time when he reacted smartly to block Niall Towle’s shot when he was through on goal.

Five minutes into the second half MacPherson just missed Downing’s cross from the right, then United striker Rhys Dolan fired his shot over the bar from five yards out as Long Eaton rained balls into the box from a series of long throws from defender Kieron Walker. Taylor shot wide again from a good position before Downing crossed low from the right for MacPherson to turn a sharp finish past keeper Jason White just inside the post to put Swifts two ahead.

Five minutes later Richards raced from his goal to block a shot from Dolan and Towle was on hand to score from the rebound from 25 yards out.

As the pressure mounted on the Swifts goal Matt Fulloway was on hand to restore the Swifts two goal lead when head outjumped the Long Eaton defenders to head home following another Danks corner.

Long Eaton set up a frantic finish when James Taylor drove in at the far post with minutes to go, but Swifts held on to take all three points.