Three points are a must for Heybridge Swifts boss Wayne Bond in tomorrow’s clash with high-flying Ashford Town at Short Lane.

The Swifts chief is still smouldering after his bottom of the pile team “threw away” two valuable points when only mustering a draw at home to Harrow Borough last Saturday.

“We have to win on Saturday – three points are a must and with games over Christmas at home to Billericay and at Hornchurch I’ll be looking for nine points.”

Ashford, whose game at Wealdstone was waterlogged off last weekend, are currently enjoying life just outside the promotion play-off zone in seventh spot, while the Swifts are still rock bottom with only 14 points and currently eight points adrift of safety.

Bond said: “We are a completely different side since Ashford beat us by the only goal back in September.

“They were very fortunate that day, but the way the league is going these days anyone can beat anyone.”

With tomorrow’s match in mind, Bond fielded a very young inexperienced side in Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup defeat at Concord Rangers and he said: “I felt three points from Saturday’s match was far more important than the cup-tie.

“I couldn’t risk getting any of my big players injured in the senior cup and the way things went I know they would have got injured if I had played them.”

Swifts could be forced to do without Ollie Sanders at Ashford. The number one goalkeeper is ill with a virus and if he doesn’t make it Jamie Bowyer, who has been waiting in the wings for a chance, will take over.