Injury-time heartbreak for 10-man Heybridge Swifts

Heybridge Swifts celebrate Matthew Price's opening goal at Potters Bar Town. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

There was injury-time heartbreak for plucky Heybridge Swifts, who played more than half the match with just 10 men, as they leaked an injury-time winner to hosts Potters Bar Town tonight.

A brace from Matthew Price seemed to have earned the Swifts a hard-earned point, only for Michael Murray to blast home an injury-time free-kick to steal all three points for the Scholars.

Target man Price broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, but it was looking bleak for the Swifts when Ben Ward-Cochrane equalised and then centre-half Jack Cawley was sent off on 37 minutes.

However, Price regained the lead in first-half stoppage time and the visitors conceded just once before the game entered injury-time, weathering the storm before Murray struck a 25-yard free-kick into the roof of the net.

A melee ensues in the middle of the pitch as players square up to each other during a feisty affair at Potters Bar Town. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

It started well for the Swifts, against hosts who began the evening in fifth slot with 12 home wins to their name already.

Skipper Lewis Godbold headed over the bar on 12 minutes, before Price hit the target. Kreshnic Krasniqi’s shot was charged down inside the penalty area, but the alert Price was quick to pounce on the loose ball and rifle home.

But the game became a bad-tempered and feisty affair, from the mid-point of the first period, home centre-half Steve Brown lucky to escape with a booking after a robust challenge.

The Scholars were level in the 32nd minute, Ward-Cochrane heading home at the near post with a goal out-of-the-blue.

Potters Bar Town keeper Berkley Laurencin deals with a Heybridge Swifts corner during the Bostik North clash at the Pakex Stadium. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

Five minutes later and Cawley was sent off, for an off-the-ball incident near the corner flag. It was a rush of blood to the head.

Without a centre-half on the bench, Godbold therefore moved into defence from his midfield role for the 10-man Swifts.

And they regained the lead, against the odds, in first-half injury-time, thanks to another clinical finish by Price, who smashed home from close-in following a corner routine.

However, the Scholars dominated the second half, hitting the woodwork twice before Lee O’Leary drove home a 64th minute equaliser. It was then one-way traffic with the hosts hitting the post again, and keeper Jake Jessup making a series of fine saves before Murray’s late winner.

Heybridge Swifts' travelling supporters at Potters Bar Town's Pakex Stadium. Picture: CARL MARSTON (Image: Archant)

HEYBRIDGE: Jessup, Ramon, Cooney, Griffiths, Baker, Cawley, Godbold, Abdulla, Price (sub Smith, 85), Krasniqi, Ashford (sub Gardiner, 69).

Attendance: 156