Evo-Stik Southern Premier.

Stourbridge 2, Cirencester Town 1.

FOR THE fourth time in two seasons Cirencester Town slipped to a 2-1 defeat against high flying Stourbridge despite deserving a draw.

The game started at a cracking pace and in only the second minute Kevin Sawyer was required to make a good save from the dangerous Ryan Rowe.

At the other end, Town won a series of corners and the normally solid Lewis Solly in the Stourbridge goal looked less than comfortable, fumbling at least two attempts which resulted in goal line scrambles that Town failed to convert.

The visitors were struck a blow when Charlie Comyn-Platt crumpled to the floor with what looks like Town's fourth serious knee ligament injury of the season.

Jamie Dunn moved into the middle and Ellis Dunton came on at left back.

Rowe, who is being watched by a host of professional clubs, proved his worth for Stourbridge when a ball over the top in the 21st minute caught out the Town defence and Rowe finished clinically to put the Glassboys 1-0 up.

In the 33rd minute, Mitch Bryant did well to deliver a cross to the far post but Jon Else headed tamely wide. Just before half-time Town thought they had equalised but Solly made up for his earlier fumbles with an excellent save to deny midfielder Nathan Davies.

Cirencester Town got off to a great start in the second half when, after 47 minutes, Ben Reardon fired in his second goal in as many games with a wonderful effort from outside the box which dipped underneath the crossbar.

Sawyer was then involved in the action again, firstly saving well from full back Sam Rock. Then a combination of Sawyer's outstretched foot and Ellis Dunton's header combined to deny Stourbridge a further goal.

Sawyer again did well to beat away Sean Geddes' fierce drive from just outside the box.

Town were giving as good as they got, however, and were twice denied by the linesman's flag when both Bryant and Reardon looked onside when put through.

In the 80th minute, a long ball upfield saw John Griffin push Andy Gunn in the back as he went up for the ball. Neither the referee nor linesman spotted the infringement and Griffin was able to run through and round Sawyer to give his side the lead.

In the 90th minute, James Mortimer-Jones produced a brilliant volley which whistled only inches wide.

Town had battled and competed brilliantly for the whole game against a good side and but for the quality of Ryan Rowe, a draw would have been the end result.

Cirencester Town: Sawyer (capt), Wilson, Dunn, Gunn, Davies, Comyn-Platt (Dunton, 17), Reid, Mortimer-Jones, Reardon (Hunt, 85), Bryant, Else. Unused sub: Mayo.

MoM: Kev Sawyer.