A DISAPPOINTING performance from Slimbridge saw them well beaten by fellow strugglers Winterbourne United.

The home side used the artificial 3G surface to their advantage and always looked the more suited to the conditions.

Andy Radford donned the gloves in Dave Evans’ absence and had to be at his best to tip over a Karim Rendall shot on seven minutes.

A long range shot by Ashley Knight in the 14th minute eluded him, though, and gifted Winterbourne an early lead.

Five minutes later the hosts should have increased their lead when Mason Poole hit a ferocious shot from some 30 yards out which rattled the Swans crossbar. The rebound fell kindly to Rendall, who should have scored but he fired his shot high and wide.

The Swans were struggling to put any moves together as Winterbourne upped the pace and  in the 28th minute  Rendell’s shot from 18 yards was superbly tipped round by Radford. However, the keeper suffered a leg injury in the process and had to be replaced in goal by Jamie Martin.

Slimbridge’s first real effort on goal came in the 35th minute - a shot by Adam Mace was pushed round for a corner. Five minutes later Daniel Holloway also had a good effort pushed away.

The second half saw the hosts assert more pressure on the visitors’ defence and after an hour Swans defender Will Wellon tangled with Rendell in the box and referee Adam Matthews pointed straight to the spot. Ben Dowdell made no mistake, firing low past Martin.

Seven minutes later the game was virtually over as Rendell shot and a wicked deflection left Martin with no chance.

After 75 minutes Winterbourne's fourth goal from Knight ended the contest but a consolation goal from substitute Rob Hine was the best the visitors could muster in a game that the Swans will quickly want to forget.

Slimbridge: Radford (Nash 28) Ward, Robinson, Sterling, Wellon, Turner, Carter (Hine 72), Twyman, Martin, Holloway, Mace.