PENALTIES are proving to be a problem for Heybridge Swifts as they are still seeking their first Isthmian North win of the season after drawing both the August bank holiday games, writes JON LONGMAN.

The Swifts missed a penalty in 0-0 draw at Ipswich Wanderers last Saturday and then conceded a spot-kick in Monday’s 2-2 derby at home to Witham Town on Monday afternoon, in front of a bumper crowd of 438.

The two incidents followed hard on the heels of the Swifts exit from the FA Cup in a 4-3 penalty shoot out to Leverstock Green.

Alfie Cutbush saw his spot kick saved by Wanderers keeper Warren Burwood after Kris Rose had handled a Scott Sloots cross in the 62nd minute of a frenetic contest in pouring rain.

It was a harsh decision by referee Steven Marr as Rose was at close quarters when Sloots attempted to fire the ball across the face of the goal.

Swifts managed only two shots on target, so it was a costly miss especially as it fired up the hosts who saw a couple of chances headed off the line.

Then Swifts keeper Callum Chafer celebrated his 100th appearance with an outstanding save in the 90th minute to secure a point.

The referee marred his otherwise excellent execution of duties by showing yellow cards to Jack Stone and Joseph Adewumni for apparently fair challenges.

Adewumni was booked for a second successive match on Monday as the Swifts drew their third consecutive Ieague game, having levelled 1-1 with Cambridge City on the opening day.

Sloots fired the Swifts into a 13th minute lead after he appeared to have taken the ball beyond range.

The Swifts lead lasted just nine minutes before Josh Osude scored from the penalty awarded by fussy referee Deryll David. As with Swifts penalty on Saturday, it was a case of ball hitting hand at close range rather than a handling offence.

Swifts leading scorer Ben Allen restored Swifts lead ten minutes before the break when he skipped past four Witham defenders to score from ten yards.

Witham keeper James Askew got a hand to Allen’s low drive but could only help the ball into the net before Osude netted Witham’s second equaliser 16 minutes from time.

The Swifts have a blank day on Saturday because of their early FA Cup exit while their scheduled league opponents Gorleston are still in the competition.

So manager Julian Dicks can recall injured players and those on holiday to his squad for the keenly-awaited home derby on Saturday week (September 7) against neighbours Maldon & Tiptree in the FA Trophy first round qualifying (3pm).