With Heybridge down to the bare bones for Saturday's match with six front line players out through injury, illness or suspension, Mark Cranfield moved into the centre of the back four and Ashley Bond had a rare outing at full back, and both gave a consistent display on a bog of a pitch.

Hitchin took the game to Swifts and Kingsley Banks saved well from the impressive Williams after only on seven minutes.

Zema Abbey had a great chance to head Hitchin in front but it went begging and Swifts then began to create half chances but it was scoreless at the break.

Immediately after the re-start Ian Wiles fed Simon Parker on the left and he jinked past three defenders into the penalty area and intelligently pulled the ball back for Nick Haydon 12 yards out.

Haydon had a similar chance six minutes later from a Christian McClean run, but this effort from slightly further out went over the bar.

Swifts dominated with the wind in their favour but it not until the 78th minute did they receive their just reward, a fine run and exquisite finish with the outside of his boot from Parker.

Hitchin pulled a goal back two minutes later, Abbey netting from close range, but Swifts looked the more likely to score in the closing moments.

Hitchin centre half Scott Cretton appeared to stamp on Parker after the ball had gone, and Parker hobbled away from the ground in some discomfort.

Terry Warwick came on to replace him and then he was felled by Cretton who was booked by the referee before Adam Gillespie felt the force of Cretton's boot on the stroke of full time.

It was another fine hard fought victory for Swifts lifting them up a further two places in the table and further away from the relegation zone.

Heybridge Swifts: Banks, Cranfield, Wiles, Haydon, Waters Gillespie, Simpson, Parker (Warwick 85 minutes), Bond, Streetley and McLean.

Unused substitutes: Kreyling and Adcock.

On Saturday Swifts host Enfield in a Ryman League match at Scraley Road (kick off 3pm), and will be looking to carry on with recent winning form.

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