A FULLY recharged Cirencester Town came from behind to claim a useful point at Stourport Swifts.

Ciren playing their first game for two weeks found themselves trailing Kerry Giddings' goal on the hour, but Gareth Hopkins earned the Centurions a 1-1 draw with a 73rd-minute equaliser.

New signing Mike Davis enjoyed an impressive debut for Ciren, but it was goalkeeper Mark Hervin who stole the show.

Hervin who continues to be linked with a move to Chippenham produced a series a fine saves as Brian Hughes' side came under increasing pressure after the break.

Stourport's Richard Ball came closest to breaking the deadlock during a turgid first period.

The Swifts striker lofted an effort over Hervin's bar after a flick on from Simon Marsh.

Ben Fitch's pace caused some problems at the other end, but Stourport keeper Ben Danby was quick to foil the youngster when he did breach the Stourport shackles.

The home side upped the anti after the break and opened the scoring on 60 minutes when substitute Giddings smashed in the rebound after Hervin had saved again from Ball.

Hervin went on to frustrate both Ball and Giddings while Danby produced some heroics at the other end to keep out Andy Minturn's header.

But Danby was powerless to prevent Ciren from equalising with 17 minutes remaining.

Keith Knight whipped in a corner, Andy McCabe headed across goal and Hopkins stroked the ball home via a post.

CIRENCESTER: Hervin, Davies, Fraser, Mayo, Beaverstock (Howarth), Minturn, Knight, Lee, Hopkins, McCabe (Hughes), Fitch

Subs not used: McEntegart

Attendance: 124

MERTHYR TYDFIL moved six points ahead at the top of the Western Division courtesy of their 2-0 win at Sutton Coldfield.

Second-placed Weston had their match with basement boys Racing Club Warwick postponed.

Third-placed Bromsgrove slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat at Bedworth, allowing Mangotsfield to close the gap thanks to an easy 6-0 win at struggling Rocester.

Shepshed managed to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at Solihull.

That leaves Warwick looking doomed and Supermarine and Rocester fighting to avoid joining them. Cirencester remain isolated in 15th place.