CHRIS Bryan plundered a hat-trick as Heybridge Swifts thumped neighbours Maldon and Tiptree 4-0.

The former Halstead Town man curled in an exquisite free-kick and then added a late penalty and a fourth goal to seal a memorable night at Scraley Road.

Nathan Smith steered in the second and it means the in-form club have now won their last five games and six of their last seven.

As for neighbours Maldon, their miserable night was compounded by the late sending-off of Tony Tucker - given his marching orders for violent conduct towards a Swifts player.

“It was a fantastic result and fully deserved,” said Heybridge head coach Barry Lakin.

“I can’t remember our goalkeeper having to pull off a save.

“After being two-up at the interval, our plan was to let them have the ball in the second half and hit them on the break. It worked a treat.

“Chris got the goals but collectively everyone was superb and they were all man-of-the-match.

“I like to think I don’t wear rose-tinted glasses and I thought the score was a fair reflection.

“We played really well and had that little bit extra.

“We were hungrier and when you perform well, the results will follow.

“We’ll always have that philosophy.”

Lakin said the result was particularly satisfying, given the opposition.

“It was a great night for the club and there’s a lot of people here who that will mean a lot to,” he added.

“That’s what we wanted - to keep everyone happy.

“It’s asking a lot but now we’ve got to do it again on Saturday (Swifts are at home to Cheshunt).

“Expectations start to change but we’ve got to keep it going.”

Bryan got the ball rolling in last night’s Ryman League division one north derby, winning a sixth-minute free-kick and then curling the ball past Tucker.

Smith added the second midway through the second half, lashing in after the ball ricocheted into his path following a corner.

Bryan netted an injury-time penalty, controversially awarded for a pull on a Swifts player and it was in the ensuing melee that Tucker was given his marching orders by referee Adam Crysell.

Bryan then added the fourth with a close-range effort, after substitute Tom Broadhurst’s angled drive came back off the far post.

The former Halstead man should also have scored just before half-time, when he worked space for himself in the area but drilled wide.

New signing Chris Ribchester also went close just after the break when his looping header was palmed away by a diving Tucker.

Maldon’s best chance fell to substitute Kris Lee but he lifted a close-range effort over the bar - summing up his side’s night.

Earlier, Swifts keeper Ollie Morris-Sanders rushed out to deny Dean Standen, Mike Dean’s angled drive flashed just over and skipper Lee Blackburn’s volley was blocked by Danny Barber.