Blues extended their unbeaten run of league wins to eight with this hardworking performance to see off the challenge of Heybridge who needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but a quality strike from man of the match Aron Gordon was enough to secure the points and keep Blues in the playoffs. Their second half performance created a number of chances but not taken and the game looked heading for stalemate until Gordon combined with David Knight to break the deadlock. Swifts though had two golden opportunities themselves both coming from self inflicted Blues errors which they failed to capitalise on.

Paul Joynes facing an injury list with Macca Joynes, Jimmy Smith , Lewis Clark and Ryan Sammons unavailable, shuffled the pack with Joe Paxman and Ryan Melaugh playing as emergency fullbacks and new signing from Bowers & Pitsea, Callum Leahy slotting into midfield with Jack McQueen moving to central defence.

A blustery wind across the park proved troublesome in the early stages but after settling down Leahy and Alex Stephenson came close for Blues and Swifts both seeing their headers fly over.

A tentative start offered sparse excitement contested mainly in a congested midfield but then David Knight combined with Kai Brown whose finish was wayward sailing harmlessly wide. Knight was involved again when he forced Callum Chafer to turn the ball behind, but neither side could establish a degree of control.

It was clear even at this stage the outcome would probably be settled with a single goal, Blues had the better opportunities without taking them which nearly came back to haunt them when Paxman misjudged a lofted ball leaving Andrew Fennel clear and with Danny Sambridge out of his goal his attempted lob was gratefully grabbed by the keeper.

HT 0-0

Blues were quickly into their stride after the break forcing a succession of corners putting the Swifts goal under pressure but once again they were so nearly punished when overplay on half way led to a stray pass, Andrew Fennell picked the ball up and with Sambridge exposed and the goal at his mercy failed to hit the target.

After the scare Blues took control Leahy at the far post saw his back header loop into the air and despite under pressure Callum Chafer claimed the ball. Gordon who was giving Joseph Claridge a torrid time tested Chafer with a teasing cross turned over at the last minute.

It was Gordon again in action when Knight fed him on the edge of box firing into the side netting but shortly after he was not to be denied. Picking up the ball inside the Swifts half he embarked on a plundering run, exchanging with Knight and not breaking his stride he drilled the ball low past Chafer to give Blues a deserved lead on 76 minutes.

Swifts who had offered little until the goal now looked to reduce the arrears but came up against the meanest defence in the league failing to trouble the Blues goal .

In the closing minutes Blues had opportunities to increase their advantage, Brown burst clear but once again fired wildly over and then Knight with only Chafer to beat was caught in two minds and put his effort wide.

So another win against tough opponents navigated, on now to next Saturday at a rejuvenated Hullbridge Sports and another opportunity to extend their unbeaten run.

Sambridge, Paxman, Melaugh (Rimmel 73), McQueen, Okonkwo, Dark(Hahn 81), Leahy, Brown, Chukwu, Knight,Gordon

Subs not used:Griek, Wright