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The hosts went ahead after just five minutes when a low shot crept in, but half an hour later Leon Antoine’s acrobatic effort drew Harlow level. Harlow controlled the second period, and the visitors went ahead when Alex Read dispatched his penalty with ease.

With the blustery conditions making it difficult for both teams, neither goalkeeper was called upon many times, but Harlow did enough to retain possession and see out the 10th league win in a row.

The visitors could have gone ahead within two minutes when a perfectly placed cross from Junior Dadson found unmarked Leon Antoine on the edge of the six yard box. The striker, back in the starting line-up, didn’t connect properly and would have been disappointed not to test the goalkeeper.

Heybridge went ahead when George Cole let fly from the corner of the goal area. David Hughes was caught off guard, and the ball crept into the bottom corner of the net.

Both sides were struggling to adapt to the fierce wind, with a number of high balls forward providing comical moments as they were caught by the gusts, confusing the players below.

Mario Noto went close for Harlow when a free kick was cleared into his path, but the follow-up shot flew over the bar.

Harlow’s best chance of the game so far came on the half-hour mark. Alex Read played the ball out wide to Fabion Simms, whose low cross found Junior Dadson at the back post. Dadson looked certain to score, but centre-back Jack Fowler's diving block cleared the ball from the line. Mario Noto then saw his follow-up shot blocked by Raphael Duyile with a moment of desperate defending from the hosts.

At the other end, Jack Barham tried his luck from distance after good work to break through on goal, but the tame effort was held easily by David Hughes.

Harlow drew level with 10 minutes of the half remaining. Great work from Joe Benjamin on the left saw him beat two defenders before sending a low cross into the box. Leon Antoine collected and with his back to goal, turned and shot home, with Philip Anderson on the goal-line unable to keep it out.

HT: Heybridge Swifts 1-1 Harlow Town

The Hawks had the wind behind them in the second half, and were using it to their advantage much better than the hosts had in the first period.

Joe Benjamin almost finished a great run across the box when a shot with the outside of his boot just went wide of the upright.

Mario Noto then went even closer, when a free kick on the edge of the area grazed the crossbar with the goalkeeper stranded.

The breakthrough came on 74 minutes when the visitors took the lead for the first time. Joe Benjamin powered into the box, and his goal bound shot was handled by Jack Fowler, with the referee promptly pointing to the spot. Alex Read sent the ‘keeper to wrong way score his 24th goal of the season.

In the dying moments of the game, Swifts goal-scorer George Cole shot from close range, but Ibrahima Sonko blocked to clear the danger. Junior Dadson then went straight to the other end, but his long run ended in a shot just wide of the post.

FT: Heybridge Swifts 1-2 Harlow Town
ATTENDANCE: 142

The result moved the Hawks into 2nd in the league, leap-frogging Thurrock and AFC Hornchurch who both lost. Harlow now have 66 points from 31 games.

Next, Harlow host third-bottom Wroxham on Tuesday 9th February, for a 7:45pm kick off.