AN ADAM Mace first-half strike proved enough to secure the points for the Swans on a very heavy pitch at Shellards Lane.

The win lifts the Swans to third place in the Toolstation Western Premier League ahead of next week's clash with leaders Bristol Manor Farm at Wisloe Road.

The home side ended the game with ten men after the late dismissal of Andy Summers, a decision which provoked some unsavoury scenes as referee Kevin Collins left the pitch at the end of the game.

The game made a slow start, with neither team able to master a boggy surface early on, and the first period of the game was a very scrappy affair.

However, the first decent move of the game proved to be the decisive one in the end – Sam Turl fed Sean Lawson down the Swans' right flank, Lawson beat two men and his cross found Mace in open country in the Longwell Green box. He steadied himself and drilled the ball past keeper Dan Jackson to put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes.

Lawson had the next opportunity to increase the lead, but shot too high after another probing run down the left wing, before Sports had their only two real opportunities of the first period – Sam Taylor scuffed a shot which Dave Evans easily saved before the break.

Jason Wood's free kick forced Evans into action again, but it was a relatively simple save for the Swans' stopper.

Slimbridge made a good start to the second period – Lawson's header from Dean Turner's ball went just the wrong side of the post, and Lawson again went close on 52 minutes, but his header from Mace's cross went off target.

Mace had a great opportunity to notch a second on 63 minutes, but Jackson's save saw a frantic goalmouth scramble and the ball was hacked clear.

With 20 minutes remaining, Lawson had a great opportunity to finish the game when a mis-hit defensive pass found him in space but the ball bobbled just as he struck it, and Jackson was able to make a save.

Jordan Fletcher again went close for the Swans with ten minutes remaining as his effort drifted just wide.

The game ended on controversy, when Rich Thwaite was penalised for a foul on the edge of the Swans' box.

The home side felt the offence had occurred inside the box, and as their frustration boiled over, Andy Summers, who had already been warned by the referee for backchat, drew a straight red as the home side protested.

When the game eventually restarted, Taylor's shot was punched to safety by Evans and the points were secured for the visitors.

The arguments continued from the home side up to the final whistle, but an equaliser would have been undeserved on the balance of play, and it was a valuable three points for the visitors. Slimbridge entertain Bristol Manor Farm at Wisloe Road on Friday, kick-off 7.30pm.