HEYBRIDGE Swifts manager Steve Tilson still believes his side can make the Pitching In Isthmian League division north play-offs for a second successive season, writes JON LONGMAN.

Their chances were boosted after leading scorer Jack Adlington-Pile's brace secured a 3-1 win at Enfield.

Swifts midfielders Lee Noble and Ben Sartain, both back from suspension, ran Enfield ragged in the first half on a Bishop's Stortford pitch that was a sight for sore eyes, with two large patches of mud in midfield.

The Swifts penned Enfield in their half for 25 minutes but failed to take advantage of Kieran Jones creating a hatful of chances except for Sartain’s strike that put the visitors ahead in the 11th minute.

Swifts manager Tilson said: “What could have been a difficult game saw us run out as 3-1 winners.

“I would have been happier if we had gone in at the break two or three goals to the good because we had the chances.

“If you don’t take those chances, they are always in the game - 1-0 is a dangerous score line and we should have had more.

“Ben Sartain got us off to a good start with a fantastic left foot shot into the bottom corner and I don’t think we came under too much pressure if I am honest.”

Adlington-Pile’s first strike in the 57th minute took a wicked deflection as he cut in from the left to hammer home the winner and his second 14 minutes later was identical.

The goals that turned the Enfield defence inside out with his quick feet took the striker’s tally to 11 for the season.

Tilson added: “Enfield worked hard and kept in the game for a long period until Jack popped up with a couple of finishes, taking slight deflections, but you don’t score unless you shoot.

“Just outside the box, they were two good finishes, but I was disappointed to concede late on but it was a commanding performance and I would have liked to have won with a few more goals.”

The injury jinx struck again on a day when Rob Harvey made a comeback after straining two hamstrings, but the Swifts lost captain Quba Gordon to the same problem before the kick-off.

With a tiny squad, players who are not 100 per cent get called up and Tilson added: “We can’t seem to get everyone back. Today we had four out and then Quba couldn’t start.

“Ben has picked up a groin strain again but listen, it is what it is and there are eight games to go.

“We have got to win as many of them as we can to try to put pressure on the sides above us and hope we can get into the play-offs.

“It will take a big effort as we are five points behind but we will keep going.”