If Martin Hall is still using the Late Trains Cup to try out his squad permutations, we can all safely conclude that the one on show at Morr Lane really isn't the one. The contrast with the battling performance against Oldham seven days before was alarming as a flaccid Hornets sank - and stank - without so much as a whimper.

But don't take anything away from Swinton. Peter Roe's assembled a well-drilled, combative and relatively error-free side that will go very well in National League 2.

The Lions were 8 points to the good after quarter of an hour. First lanky poseur Jason Roach got on the end of some decent approach play to score out wide, followed to the line five minutes later by Lee Hudson who took the last pass in a sweeping crossfield move.

Hornets again kicked a penalty into a deficit - it was cancelled out by a Hough effort just before the break. In between the penalty exchange Hornets did manage to conjure up one piece of cohesive football as Watson's flat pass posted Smithy in to score from 20 metres.

Half time 10-all - and all a bit dull, to be honest.

Hornets started the second half better (it would have been hard to start any worse). Four minutes in. a crossfield kick lost in flight by the Swinton defence, Marlon Billy scooping up to score - but the lead was short lived.

A huge break through the middle of the park by Simon Knox took Swinton fully 70 metres upfield; quick support play and two neat passes later, Hough was touching down for the home side.

Jon Roper - who dropped off tackles all afternoon - hoofed the kick-off straight into touch. Unforgiveable, given the huge size of the Moor Lane pitch. He's going to have to get his kick-offs sorted before the serious business begins in April.

From the resulting posession, Swinton set up camp in the Hornets 20. Back to back sets put the Hornets defence under increasing pressure and it told after 60 minutes when Dave Ellison took a simple short pass to score by the posts.

This temporarily shook Hornets from their slumbers. A big break from man-of-the-match james Bunyan (who played superbly at both center and second row, tackling anything that moved) set up field position and quick hands by Pricey and Watson saw Nanyn crash in at the corner.

Five minutes later Hornets found themselves back in a good position and more nifty handiwork created the space for Roper to crash in - and give Hornets the lead with less than ten minutes remaining.

And so it was until the final minute. Having clawed their way back into the game despite lousy ball control and some shocking passing, Hornets' defence switched off. Kris Smith broke the line, Peter Cannon backed up and scooted away to score. Houghy said 'ta very much' for an easy conversion and the hooter put the whole sorry affair to bed.

While fans muttered and mumbled about starting the game with Ayres at six, the reliability of Jon Roper and the absence of Damian Ball, it was simply a poor effort from the majority of the team. Very little football was played - the most popular attacking option being the one-man-plod into defenders. And when we did work the ball into space, the handling was hurried, unconsidered and generally pretty rubbish at times.

But credit to Swinton, playing in a group where every other team is from a higher division, they have shown that they were capable of grabbing at least one win - pity it had to be against us. The experience of playing week-in, week-out against stronger sides will stand them in good stead when the season gets underway.

As for Hornets, it was a poor afternoon - and we can play much, much better