Robbie King has been picked out by Heybridge Swifts boss Wayne Bond as the catalyst for their upturn in form.

Swifts have lost just one of their last five Ryman League premier division matches and are by no means adrift at the foot of the table.

Victory over rivals Billericay Town at Scraley Road on Saturday could move them up two places.

And manager Bond told the Gazette his side have been spurred on by the goal-scoring heroics of former Colchester United midfielder King.

He said: “He is a quality player. He has benefitted from being around better players that we have brought in during the last month.

“He has certainly been a catalyst for our improved form.”

King scored the winner in the 1-0 victory at Ashford Town on Saturday and has been the main threat, along with Neil Cousins.

Bond said Swifts should have had the game sewn up by half-time and added that he is ‘beginning to sound like a broken record’ with the way he feels his side should be winning more games.

He said: “It takes us a bit closer to the pack, although I would not like to say whether we are playing like a top-ten side.

“However, results are showing that even the top sides are not giving us a walloping.”

Bond is expecting Saturday’s game to be their hardest since they played runaway leaders Dover Athletic.

He said: “Billericay are on a run of good results and have two exceptionally good forwards.

“Our defence will have to be at its best but we should have confidence in ourselves.”

Swifts are without the injured Matt Cutchey, while Russell Pond is also struggling.