Rowe was not the only hero. It was a combined team effort with keeper Paul Catley making two fine first-half saves to keep his first clean sheet and the team's second of the season.

A journey of 168 miles taking almost four hours due to motorway hold-ups was not ideal preparation for AFC's second longest league trip of the campaign.

Smith included his assistant Chris Tracey in the starting eleven in central defence to combat Swifts' striker Duane Darby.

But in the event the big forward was not included in the Swifts team or on their bench.

However, Tracey went on to have a fine game, with his experience and enthusiasm rubbing off on his team mates. The only squad players not available for selection due to injuries were skipper Gareth Heath and Steve Joyce.

Rowe was recalled to the starting eleven while Sheridan Driver continued as captain.

The only downside to the day was an injury to Craig Bussens. The right-sided midfielder took a blow in the first half but continued after the break only to suffer blurred vision midway through.

He was replaced by Sam Clarke. As a precaution Bussens went to a local hospital for examination but was released after treatment.

A meagre crowd of 85, the lowest by five AFC have played in front of in a league game since moving up the pyramid, would have been a lot less but for a good following of AFC supporters who had made the long journey.

The early tempo was very much with AFC, but they were unable to make it count. Numerous shots were blocked as AFC piled on the pressure, but when they failed to make a breakthrough it began to look as if they had missed the boat as the home side grew with confidence the longer the game went on.

After 19 minutes a fine goal-line clearance from Curtis Haynes-Brown stopped Shane Gill from giving the home side the lead, and seconds later Catley foiled Mark Benbow when he went full-length to his left to save at the expense of a corner.

Defences were dominating, but on the half hour Catley pulled of another fine save to keep out an effort from Chris Duggan.

Early in the second half a looping header from Marcus Hunt forced home keeper Paul Evans to save under the bar.

Luke Hammond sent a free kick inches wide of the Stourport goal as the visitors began to dominate in terms of possession, but with the home side packing their defence it was going to take something special to find a way through.

It came after 77 minutes following a foul on Hunt on the halfway line, for which Rich Tonkins was booked.

The free kick was sent into the Stourport penalty area. It was only partially cleared, and picked up by Rowe who weaved his way past two defenders before slipping the ball past Evans for a fine individual goal.