With two enforced changes due to injuries to Liam Cutbush and influential midfielder Adam Gillespie, a different looking side took the field for Saturday's important game at Scraley Road.

Referees rarely get the opportunity to stamp their authority on the game as early as the 15th second, but Erith's Phillip Leeds had the perfect chance to show that he would not tolerate challenges from behind, when Harrow Borough midfielder Jon-Barrie Bates twice took Swifts striker Christian McClean in that way.

Leeds penalised the second offence with a free-kick and a yellow, when both sets of fans and club officials thought a red would have been more appropriate.

Swifts punished the visitors in the best possible way as they won a corner. From the resultant free kick, defender Ben Lewis flicked on Wayne Adcock's kick to Nicky Simpson who hammered the ball home through a crowded box.

Swifts continued to look dangerous with Simon Parker, 19, looking sharp.

However, Heybridge were allowing the Harrow midfield too much room and left back Sean James proved to be a constant thorn in the Heybridge side.

Heybridge front runners, Parker and McClean caused problems for the visiting defence, and a fine ninth minute move involving Parker, Adcock, McClean and Simpson saw the latter's low cross just a shade too quick for Alex Fiddes ghosting in at the far post.

Harrow came more into the game as the space in midfield told, and McCormack was given time down the left.

His weak cross was easily dealt with by keeper Kingsley Banks, who on Thursday delivered his daughter in the car park at Clacton Maternity Home -- he didn't drop her either!

The game flowed from one end to the other and Bates shot over and as Harrow continued to push forward English was adjudged to have fouled Gavin on the edge of the Heybridge area.

Harrow's former Arsenal full-back Kenny Webster did the damage as he bent the ball around the defensive wall past the despairing Banks.

Heybridge bounced back and McClean rounded the visiting defence to square the ball to Fiddes, and as the midfielder steadied himself to slot into an open goal, he was unceremoniously dumped onto the ground by Roberts and Leeds played on.

Harrow came more into the game, and firstly Roberts shot over and then James' goal bound effort fortunately struck Dave Streetley.

Mark Cranfield, on a rare foray into the visiting penalty area, saw his shot blocked and harrow break quickly and James again wasted the chance.

On the stroke of half-time the visitors won a corner on their left. Jon-Barrie Bates met the cross to beat Banks and establish a half-time lead.

In the 54th minutes later Harrow increased their lead when McCormack's cross was met by Ben Lewis who headed past his own keeper.

The Swifts reduced the arrears when a long throw in bounced around the Harrow penalty area before falling to Dave Streetley who hammered the ball home.

With the Swifts pushing forward looking for the equaliser, it was again down the left wing that a deep cross was headed back across goal by Gavin and flicked past Banks to give the Boro an unassailable lead with ten minutes to go .

Although losing to the better side, the league position did not alter as the recent run has seen them pull clear.

Although many of the fighting pack gained points, Swifts still maintain their advantage but now need to pick up more points.

Heybridge Swifts: Banks, Cranfield, Wall, English, Lewis, McClean, Simpson (sub Heasman 87), Adcock, Streetley, Parker and Fiddes.

Unused substitutes: Bond and Miyoba.

Two against one . . Heybridge Swifts' Christian McLean (centre) looks favourite to get to the ball first in Saturday's Ryman League Premier Division match against Harrow Borough at Scraley Road.

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