Expectations were high for Saturday's visit to near neighbours Canvey Island, and when Simon Parker put Swifts in front after four minutes from Christian McLean's knock down, silencing the Canvey crowd in the process, it looked like the side's fine recent run would continue.

However, on a waterlogged pitch, Canvey adapted better to the conditions as the afternoon progressed and they always looked the more likely side to score.

Stimson ran the game until going off injured in the second half, and Canvey were denied a first half penalty when goalkeeper Kingsley Banks, with an incredible double save, kept Swifts in the game.

Chris Duffy netted Canvey's equaliser on 35 minutes after a sweet interchange of passes.

Nicky Haydon was excellent in the first half for Swifts and Nicky Simpson looked dangerous on the rare Swifts forward breaks, but Swifts were generally second best in the midfield department.

A curling shot from Simpson could have restored the Swifts lead shortly after the break, but substitute Andy Jones soon put Canvey in front for the first time.

Ex-Southend United and Witham Town striker Steve Tilson made it 3-1 as Canvey began to open up the tiring Swifts defence at will.

As Swifts tried hard to to push forward gaps naturally began to appear at in their defence, particularly when Alex Fiddes was substituted, which were exploited clinically by Canvey.

This led to a goal glut as Duffy, Jones and Tilson all netted within the final 15 minutes for a result that did not do justice to Swifts efforts.

But it was not a good day for Swifts who, missing Lewis, Grice and Gillespie and Cranfield, because they were not fit enough to be risked on the treacherous conditions, were distinctly second best in most areas of the park to a good Canvey side.

Heybridge Swifts: Banks, Fiddes (Kreyling 72 minutes), Wiles, Haydon, Waters, Taylor, Simpson, Parker, Caton (Warwick 72 minutes), Streetley and McLean. Unused substitute: Cranfield.

Swifts will be hoping to return to their winning ways on Saturday when they play host to Hampton & Richmond in a Ryman League match at Scraley Road (kick off 3pm).

Three points are vital for the Swifts in their bid to struggle clear of the relegation area.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.