PROGRESS is being made at Heybridge Swifts despite their defeat at the hands of Harlow Town.

That is the belief of manager Jody Brown, who saw his side fall to a 2-1 defeat against second-placed Harlow at Scraley Road on Saturday.

This made it ten Ryman League division north wins in a row for Harlow.

It brought to an end a four -game winning streak in all competitions for Swifts, including a 4-2 win over fifth-placed Cray Wanderers.

Swifts had taken the lead against Harlow with a George Cole strike but Leon Antoine equalised in the first-half before an Alex Read penalty sealed the game for the visitors in the second half.

Brown said: “I was disappointed with the defeat.

“However, the over-riding feeling was that it has shown how far we have progressed.

“Harlow have won ten games on the spin and we pushed them to the wire.

“And to lose to a penalty, that probably wasn’t a penalty, is also disappointing.

“The centre-half blocked the ball and it was one of those shots from 20 yards.

“He said it hit him on the chest but the referee said it was the arm.

“It’s difficult, even on television with all the replays, to give those.

“But we did have our chances to win the game.”

Brown, whose side have battled their way out of the relegation places and now sit 20th in the division, two places and four points above the drop zone, added: “I am disappointed but you have to put it into perspective.

“We beat Cray and then went close to beating Harlow.

“I think it shows how far we have come as a team.”

These recent performances have boosted the Scraley Road side’s confidence and now they face another tough match against Cheshunt on Saturday. Brown said: “Now we are going into every game believing that we can win it.

Cheshunt beat Hornchurch quite convincingly at the weekend and are in the mix looking for promotion.

“It will be a big test for us and a challenging game.

“We will look to get at least a point from the game.

“And if we can’t do that then put in a really positive performance that we can take things away from it.”

Brown, however, does have some injury problems ahead of the weekend’s clash with Cheshunt.

He added: “Jamie Guy is unwell so we will have to see how he is.

“Lee Townrow is suspended for the game and Liam Thomas has had an injection in his lower back so is touch and go.

“Also Matt Pooley is struggling with an ankle injury and is 50-50 for the game.

“With those players out, and a small squad, it will be a bit tough.”