Stapenhill 1 Blaby and Whetstone 0

TOM Ellerton scored the only goal late on to help Stapenhill to their first East Midlands Counties League victory in three games.

His strike, two minutes from time, was the first Swans' goal from open play in close to nine hours of football – but was enough to see them past Blaby & Whetstone.

The visitors started well at Edge Hill, Alex Johnson's driven corner somehow flying through a crowded box to Callum Ross, who scuffed the chance wide.

Tom Liversage made space for himself as Stapenhill had their first opening, but his effort was also off target.

The Swans midfielder then twisted and turned out wide before whipping in a cross that just eluded Alex Britton at the far post.

As the breathless opening passages continued, Johnson's whipped free-kick was met by the head of Tom Hill, his powerful attempt crashing against the underside of the bar with keeper Harry Bullock beaten.

Appeals from the away side that the ball had crossed the line were waved away by Beeston referee Mike McGill.

Ross sent a decent strike inches wide and followed that up with a speculative long-range effort that skidded by Bullock's post.

At the other end, Liversage pulled another attempt wide as both sides went in search of the opening goal.

Ellerton was looking a lively presence for the hosts and, on the half hour, he collected the ball down the left and cut into the box before firing another shot off target when a better option would have been to square it to the unmarked Liversage.

Back came Blaby, with Porter hooking a shot over from a promising position.

The Swans finished the half on top, Ellerton again involved by finding Liversage, who drove over.

Then a corner whipped in by Paul Furniss was only partially cleared to Britton, but he failed to find the target.

As the mists rolled in across the fields, the hosts continued to push, a Brent Upton effort deflecting just wide.

But just after the break, Steve Gough's side had a real escape.

Johnson smashed the ball against the post with a strong effort before the rebound flew off a Blaby player and over the bar.

Not for the first time this campaign, Stapenhill put themselves under needless pressure by conceding a number of free-kicks, although they were well defended by Harry Austin and Joe Swift.

A Danny Gilligan throw-in at the other end was headed on for Ellerton, but he was again unable to find the back of the net.

Britton then blazed over from close range after a good corner was knocked down by Swift.

On 66 minutes, another menacing Furniss delivery was met by the onrushing Austin but the centre-back's bullet header forced a brilliant reaction save from Blaby keeper Tom Holyoake.

The Swans defender was back in action in his own area moments later, clearing Aaron Preston's shot before the visitors' frontman cleverly found some space only to scuff an attempt wide.

A goal looked to be on the cards in the 70th minute when Preston, again involved, combined well with Hill to release Mitch Warner inside the box, but he was superbly stopped by Austin's sliding challenge.

Back came Stapenhill, Gilligan and Swift linking up only for the latter to smash the ball over.

Both sides were clearly going all out for a winner as the final 10 minutes ticked away.

Dean Bromley had to be on his toes to clear a vicious cross from Preston, before Hill produced a stunning acrobatic volley that cannoned off the post to the dismay of the travelling supporters.

Gilligan was the next Swans star to make a vital block, getting in the way of Ross as he broke clear and looked certain to convert.

And that block proved even more crucial moments later.

With two minutes remaining, a long clearance was headed on by Rowland to Ellerton, who bustled clear to fire into the bottom corner with aplomb.

It was the last meaningful act as Stapenhill ensured their mini-losing streak ended at two.

GOALS: Ellerton 88 (Swans).

SWANS: Bullock, Gilligan, Swift, Furniss, Austin, Bromley, Britton, Upton, Liversage (Rowland 66), Ellerton, Campbell (Nolan 80). Sub not used: Gough.

BLABY: Holyoake, Taylor, Warner, Towers, Statham, Johnson, Lawton, Hill, Ross, Preston, Porter (French 79). Subs not used: Orme, Brookes, Wilson, Beardsmore.

STAR MAN: Harry Austin - A rock at the back with crucial tackles and interceptions.

REFEREE: M. McGill (Beeston).

ATTENDANCE: 41