MALDON and Tiptree ran out convincing 4-0 winners in tonight’s Ryman League derby at home to Heybridge Swifts.

The classy Jammers continued their exceptional form thanks to goals from Tarik Moore-Azille, Sam Newson, Rhys Henry and Adam Mills.

They have now suffered just one defeat in their last dozen matches.

But for Swifts, it means a nail-biting final day of the season as they aim to preserve their north division status.

Jody Brown’s side went into the game sitting 20th in the table – two places and three points better off than third-from-bottom Waltham Abbey.

However, as a result of this heavy defeat, they now have a worse goal difference than their fellow strugglers.

And that could prove crucial if things go against them on Saturday, when Swifts host Phoenix Sports and Abbey entertain Redbridge.

Mid-table Maldon made a dream start with a goal after just seven minutes.

Mills burst forward and was fouled just outside the penalty area, on the left-hand side.

Henry delivered a perfect set-piece and Moore-Azille was left unmarked to volley home from close range, beyond helpless keeper Danny Sambridge.

Pacey winger Darren McQueen then went close with a teasing right-hand cross that had to be tipped over by the alert Sambridge.

And Henry continued the hosts’ strong start with another effort that forced a diving save from the busy Swifts keeper.

A second goal looked on the cards and it duly arrived in the 18th minute.

Henry was again the architect, breaking clear in the box and delivering an inviting low cross that was turned in at the far post by Newson.

Mills saw a header flash across goal and just wide of the far post, while at the other end Swifts’ first notable effort came from George Cole.

The wide man unleashed a low shot from distance that tested former Colchester United keeper Shaun Phillips.

Heybridge’s hearts were in their mouths when Ben Wyatt went within a whisker of adding a third for Steve Ball’s Jammers.

His low effort skimmed agonisingly wide of the right-hand post – but the hosts went on to add a third two minutes before half-time.

Swifts were caught in possession and Newson teed up Henry, who drilled an unstoppable effort beyond Sambridge.

Swifts needed to show a response after the break, if only to repair the damage to their goal difference.

However, it was Maldon who added their fourth three minutes into the second half, thanks to an unstoppable, angled volley from Mills that deflected in off the Swifts bar.

Swifts kept going and Lewis Godbold tried his luck with an effort that wasn’t far over and Jack Barham’s shot from the edge of the area tested Phillips.

However, it was not their night and Brown and his players must now prepare for what could be a nervous final day at Scraley Road.

Maldon host Witham Town on Thursday night before ending their season at Cray Wanderers on Saturday.

Maldon: Phillips, Hammond, Wyatt, Roast, Moore-Azille, Haynes-Moore, A Mills, Monlouis, Newson, Henry, McQueen.

Subs: D Mills (McQueen 66), Stephens (Haynes-Moore 72), Ramadan (Newson 74).

Not used: Allarakhia, Levey.

Swifts: Sambridge, Pooley, Emsden, Dark, Thomas, Anderson, Cole, Godbold, Barham, Duyile, Reynolds.

Subs: Smith (Dark 58), Alleyne (Thomas 56), Hunt (Duyile 82).

Not used: Devenish, Riches.