SENSATIONAL Heybridge Swifts demonstrated the benefits of going full belt right up to the final whistle as ‘super sub’ Dan Walker fired home the equaliser and then the winner in time added on to win 3-2 at Felixstowe and Walton on Tuesday, writes JON LONGMAN.

Swifts’ brace in three minutes replicated Felixstowe’s second-half quickfire double from Henry Barley and Miles Powell that had put the Seasiders in front.

In the chaos that ensued, midfielder Oliver Canfer appeared to have been dismissed by referee Paul Quick for a brutal challenge that put brave Swifts keeper Callum Chaffer in the back of his net.

The irony of that red card was that it created enough injury time for Walker to delight the fans.

Heybridge led from the 17th minute when Lionel Ainsworth fired the last of three excellent chances past keeper Callum Robinson.

Ainsworth was one of four Swifts bookings, most not worthy of a caution, and there were three yellow cards for home players but it could have been more had the official handed out a second yellow card to Armani Schaar for two crude tackles on Jack Adlington-Pile.

Jeremy Arthur’s header rattled the Felixstowe bar after the break before the home side scored two goals in a three-minute spell.

Swifts fans moaned about not having a game changer on the bench and Walker’s arrival in the 87th minute did little to increase their hopes of a draw let alone a winner.

Walker had scored the derby winner against Maldon and Tiptree after making a late entry and the Felixstowe reworking of Groundhog Day was about to follow.

Swifts historian Chris Daines took a call from chairman Gary White in Greece who said that he had met an old friend of Julian Lamb, the 1980s Swifts scoring legend.

Daines saw the referee indicate five minutes of injury time and said that the Swifts would get one more chance to emulate Lamb.

Daines joked about getting his prediction wrong when Walker got another chance and scored the shock winner, both goals coming from Andy Fennell assists.

New manager Steve Tilson will urge the rapidly improving Swifts to repeat their smash and grab raid away to Hashtag at Bowers on Sunday (3pm).

That would be the perfect preparation for the FA Trophy tie on October 30 when unbeaten Southern League Premier South leaders Hayes & Yeading visit the Aspen Waite Arena.

The Swifts were in last Monday’s draw as a result of last Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Barking thanks to Chaffer saving George Purcell’s spot kick, the highlight of a memorable performance.

Swifts led from the 30th minute when Barking keeper James Shaw could only help Dylan Logan’s shot into the net.

The Swifts defence foiled a Barking fightback and they made sure of victory when Lionel Ainsworth’s cheeky 40-yard lob cannoned off a post and Andy Fennell tapped in the rebound to delight most of 183 spectators.