HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS boss Jody Brown says he will “take heart” and a “positive mind-set” from his side’s FA Trophy defeat at Kings Langley.

Swifts lost 1-0 in the first qualifying round tie after conceding from a second-half penalty, on Saturday.

However, Brown felt it was an encouraging performance against step three opposition and insists his side are heading in the right direction.

“We were the better team for the lion’s share of the game,” he said.

“We attacked and attacked and it was like the Alamo for the last 20 to 25 minutes.

“We camped in their half and they only left one man forward.

“Glen Little took the game by the scruff of the neck and while obviously disappointed to lose and go out, I have to take strength from it.

“We played very well against a buoyant step three side, especially when you consider that we were without two key players in skipper George Cole (injured) and Nick Brown (suspended).

“We may have lost but I have a very positive mind-set about it.

“If we replicate that kind of performance we’ll be fine and certainly looking up rather than down, in terms of our league position.

“We’re playing well at the moment and if we can find that extra inch to win these tight games we’ll start picking up many more points.

“We’ve drawn five games 2-2, having been in front in four of them, and had five one-goal defeats – three 1-0s and two 2-1s.

“The margins are fine and we’re certainly not far away.

“We just need to find that little bit more personality and character to get over the line and maybe we need another experienced body in the squad to help.

“We’ve only been outplayed in two matches – the others have all been very competitive – and I genuinely feel we’re capable of a five or six-game winning run.”

The only goal came from the penalty spot, after an alleged foul by Phil Anderson.

To make matters worse, Swifts were denied a spot-kick of their own soon after following a similar challenge on Lewis Godbold.

“Phil got the ball – I’ve got no doubt about that – but he did come in from the side, so I can see why it was given,” said Brown.

“It’s one of those where we could have appealed at the other end, but were disappointed when it was given against us.

“It was a subjective thing but I appreciate that if you make a tackle from the side there’s always the potential for the referee to point to the spot.

“What made it more disappointing, though, was the fact there was another very similar incident at the other end almost straight away.

“Lewis Godbold was tackled from the side just as he was about to shoot.

“This time the referee didn’t give it and it was frustrating that there were two pivotal decisions in the match – and both went in Kings Langley’s favour.”

Swifts are at home to Thurrock on Saturday before visiting Brown’s old team, Halstead Town, for an Essex Senior Cup third-round tie next Tuesday.