STAPENHILL paid for their lack of cutting edge in the final third as Blaby & Whetstone Athletic beat them 2-0 at Edge Hill, writes BRIAN TRAIN.

But it was a much-improved performance from the Swans after their defeat by the same score at Aylestone Park at the weekend, but Blaby look like a side capable of mounting a challenge in the East Midlands Counties League.

Their shock victory over big-spending Stratford in the FA Cup last week shows they are a side going places – and they have several quality players at their disposal.

Stapenhill boss Steve Gough made four changes from the weekend defeat.

Luke Hemingway made his debut in goal in place of the unavailable Ben Gough, while Jacques Briscoe, Jordan Stevens and Jamie Disney replaced Paul Furniss, Asa Sippits and Matt Weightman.

The visitors were quickly into their stride, with former Leicester City winger Levi Porter – who made almost 40 appearances in the Championship – trading passes with Aaron Preston and forcing a smart save from Hemingway at his near post.

Then Porter, still a dangerous player and only 27, fed Preston, but his tame effort was never going to trouble the keeper.

The Swans replied with Alex Rowland finding Aaron Carvell, who fired wide of Ben Jackson's left post.

Harry Austin then drove in a dangerous free kick which caused chaos before the referee blew for an infringement.

Jackson did well moments later when he deflected a goalbound shot from Jamie Disney (pictured) around a post. Rowland tried his luck with an effort that flew just off target.

It was a decent spell for Stapenhill, with Disney releasing Danny Gilligan down the right and Jackson, under pressure, had two attempts to clear before he could drop on the ball.

But the visitors were always dangerous, with strikers Stuart Verrall and Preston ably assisted by the busy Porter.

On 25 minutes, Verrall was clear and looked likely to score, but Hemingway, after initially starting to come off his line to meet the danger, went back and saved at his near post.

Then a corner whipped in by Mason Hirst was met by Matt Howarth, who headed wide.

However, the pressure told two minutes from the break.

Austin brought down Porter and from the subsequent free kick, taken by Hirst, Lee Barratt stuck a foot out to convert at the near post.

Nothing much changed after the break, with Porter setting up Hirst, who was denied by a fine reaction save from Hemingway.

The keeper then foiled Porter, who had been sent clear by Verrall.

On 53 minutes, the visitors doubled their advantage, as Hirst picked out Verrall, who drilled a cross-shot into the corner.

Blaby nearly added a third when Ryan Hawker hit Preston but the striker lobbed wide.

Just past the hour, the Swans had their first clear-cut chance.

Austin picked out Gilligan with a pin-point free kick, but the midfielder, completely unmarked, headed wide.

At the other end, Verrall chased down a long clearance from Jackson and held off a challenge, only to hook the ball over.

Blaby should have had a third on 82 minutes.

Substitute Jimmy Easton was robbed in midfield and full-back Hawker broke down the left before hitting Hirst, who unselfishly set up substitute Jo Preston, but he drove wide of Hemingway's right post.

Carvell forced Jackson into a save late on and Austin broke out of defence and hit the pass of the game which split the visitors' defence for Disney, but the young striker put it wide.

GOALS: Barratt 43, Verrall 53 (Athletic).

SWANS: Hemingway, Austin, Rowland, Carvell, Perry, Dennahy, Disney, Briscoe, Gilligan, Campbell (Sippits 68), Stevens (J Easton 73). Sub not used: B Davies.

ATHLETIC: Jackson, Tyler, Hawker, Statham, Howarth, Wilson (Morrall 83), Barratt (Goodman 66), Hirst, Verrall, A Preston (J Preston), Porter. Subs not used: Towers, Hollioake.

SWANS STAR MAN: Luke Hemingway – impressive debut by confident keeper.

ATTENDANCE: 56.