Stourport Swifts 0, Leighton Town 2

Leighton Town returned with all the points after a competent display in which early goals in each half from Ben Gallant and James Hatch ensured they continued with their good league form.

Town made one change from last week's line-up when James Lasbrey was selected in midfield at the expense of Leon Gordon.

They got off to a flying start when Gallant was fouled inside the penalty area in the first minute.

The young striker took the kick himself and coolly despatched the kick after sending Evans the wrong way.

Town had settled well and in the eighth minute they could easily have increased their lead but James Hatch's clever lob just failed to clear the keeper and the hosts were reprieved.

Two minutes later Liam Howley headed just over from a corner as Town kept up the pressure.

Town were looking secure in defence and in yet another attack Hatch headed just wide of the near post as Town counter attacked at pace.

The host's first chance was created in the 30th minute by Cornes after some clever footwork but when the loose ball was knocked into the net by Gill from a yard out the goal was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee who was right in line.

Five minutes later Leon Cashman won the ball in his own half and made a terrific 60-yard run down the touchline but then wasted all his good work by driving his shot wide of the near post.

Five minutes after this Town created another opportunity but this time Lasbrey sliced his shot wide of the near post when well placed.

Town started the second half on the attack and after 50 minutes, following good work by Charlie Cunningham and Lasbrey, Hatch drove in a low diagonal shot that was tipped round the post by Evans at full stretch for a corner.

Stourport then had a chance after a free kick but Snape headed the ball wide of the post.

Leighton continued to look good on the break and in the 58th minute Hatch added a second for Town when he broke clear of two opponents before shooting into the far corner of the net.

Stourport's hopes of getting back into the game were greatly reduced when skipper John Snape was sent off for standing on Gallant after once again fouling the striker who had given him an uncomfortable afternoon.

Two minutes after the sending off Town won a corner but the ball bounced right over two of their players in good positions and then went out for a goal kick.

In the 70th minute ex-Wolverhampton player Chris Cornes nearly scored for Stourport with a terrific left-footed looping volley from about 40 yards out but the alert Lee Clark, who had a quiet afternoon in the Town goal, managed to back-pedal and keep the ball out of the net.

Town were allowing Stourport lots of possession in their own half and in midfield but the hosts never looked like seriously troubling the Town defence although Cunningham had to make a wonderful interception in the 82nd minute to deny the hosts a clear chance from close range.

A couple of minutes later Burgess turned and shot wide of the post but it was Town who had the last opportunity of the game in the dying seconds but Gordon shot well wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Town always looked likely winners of this game after the early penalty and could easily have been well in front at the interval if they had converted more of their chances.

Their defence was seldom troubled, the midfield worked hard in both attack and defence and Gallant and Hatch were always a handful for the home defence with their mobility and hard work up front.

Team: Clark, Cunningham, McNulty (Kench 75), Lewis, Clifford, Howley, Lasbrey (Gordon 82), Silvestri, Gallant (Gray), Hatch, Cashman. Subs: Scott (not used). Att: 64.

Leighton Town travel to Bury Town this Saturday in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The club will be running a coach to the game. Supporters wishing to travel should add their name to the list in the club bar.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) Leighton U18s takes on Cockfosters at Bell Close, kick-off 7.45pm.

On Saturday Leighton Reserves are at home to AFC Kempston Rovers Reserves in the Beds Intermediate Cup, kick-off 3pm.