Stour recovered and were the better side for much of the game, equalising just after half-time through Luke Benbow, but were forced to settle for a point.

Shaw Lane came out of the blocks quickly and Gavin Rothery tested new Stour keeper Harry Beasley with the loanee stopper doing well to push his effort away.

But the Ducks took the lead in the fourth minute. Byrne found a yard of space on the edge of the area and his shot took a deflection off Stuart Pierpoint before going into the far corner of the net.

Stour had started slowly but began to get a foothold mid-way through the first half. Shaw Lane defender Jake Skelton did well to block a Luke Benbow effort but the centre-half was then booked for a lunge on Tom Tonks.

Benbow fired over from 20 yards after Kaiman Anderson had done well down the left and Leon Broadhurst then dragged wide from a similar distance.

Jake Picton headed narrowly wide for Shaw Lane just before the interval but Stour came out firing in the second half.

Broadhurst should have scored but saw his shot saved by Eddie Wilczynski a minute in after a brilliant through ball by Tonks.

But Stour weren’t to be denied a minute later when Benbow’s ball in from the right seemed to deceive Wilczynski - who perhaps had an eye on the advancing Anderson - and the ball bounced into the corner of the net.

The Glassboys, managed by assistant Jon Ford with boss Gary Hackett on holiday, were on top after that and Anderson headed over following a good cross from the right by Tonks.

Despite Stour’s territorial advantage, Shaw Lane went close from a corner before Anderson hacked clear at the back post.

Then Aris Christophorou made a fantastic block on the line after keeper Beasley had fumbled another corner before Rothery curled a shot off-target.

Picton tested Beasley again in the 68th minute but the youngster was equal to the side-foot shot and did well to push it wide.

The visitors were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when Skelton received his second yellow for scything down Benbow as he raced clear.

The Glassboys went extremely close with ten minutes to go as Anderson broke before feeding Benbow. The striker’s low shot was saved by Wilczynski's foot before looping up and just trickling wide.

Connor Gater went close with a 25-yarder and then substitute Chris Lait, making his return to action with Stour, had a great angled drive brilliantly saved by by Wilczynski.

It just wasn’t to be for Stour but the players were clapped off at the full time whistle following a much-improved performance.

Stourbridge (4-3-3): Beasley; Westlake, McCone, Pierpoint, Christophorou; Gater, Tonks, Broadhurst; Shearer (Lait 76), Benbow, Anderson (Cooke 89). Subs not used: Hall, Antonio, Hawk (GK)

Attendance: 514

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

We travel to Coleshill Town next Monday night, 5th February, in the Birmingham Senior Cup Quarter-Final tie. Kick-off at Pack Meadow is at 7.45 pm. NB. There will be no coach to this fixture.

We then travel to Witton Albion on Saturday 10th February (3.00 pm kick-off). Travel details have now been confirmed and can be found here.

Our next home match is on Monday 12th February, when we will welcome another club making their first visit to the War Memorial Ground, Farsley Celtic (7.45 pm kick-off).

YOUTH TEAM & ACADEMY

The Youth Team travel to Evesham United on Monday, 5th February, in the Worcs County Cup (7.30 pm kick-off).

Meanwhile, our Academy youngsters are next in action away to Stratford Town on Wednesday, 7th February (2.00 pm kick-off).

STOURBRIDGE LADIES

The Glassgirls face Rugby Town Ladies at Greenfields on Sunday, 4th February in the WMWL League Cup quarter-final. A tight match is in prospect after two close encounters already in the League. Kick-off is at 2.00 pm and admission is free.

RESULTS – SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY

Evo-Stik Premier

Altrincham P-P Mickleover Sports
Barwell 2-1 Buxton
Coalville Town 0-3 Nantwich Town
Farsley Celtic 1-3 Hednesford Town
Grantham Town 1-1 Witton Albion
Marine 1-1 Stafford Rangers
Matlock Town 4-3 Lancaster City
Rushall Olympic P-P Ashton United
Stalybridge Celtic 1-1 Sutton Coldfield Town
STOURBRIDGE 1-1 Shaw Lane
Whitby Town 5-0 Halesowen Town

Buildbase FA Trophy Third Round

Wealdstone 2-1 Warrington Town
Workington 1-1 Bromley