Loanees sink Swifts

It was a match of little consequence between two sides who, barring the unlikeliest reversals of form, have missed out on this season's promotion play-off places.

Worthing were without main striker Sam Francis, all three goals came from deadball situations and both Worthing's were scored by their on-loan players from Lewes.

Just before half-time Swifts were made to pay for a succession of fouls. Mark Knee was brought down for the umpteenth time, and Chris Dicker's kick was brilliantly headed in by defender Marc Cable.

Knee made a lively return after a lengthy injury lay-off but, sadly, he was to limp off again just before the end.

Worthing merited their interval lead, but appeared to be still in the dressing room when Swifts equalised soon after the restart. A right-wing corner floated over Mark Ormerod's reaching fingers and Ian Cousins headed in.

The Worthing keeper fell just below his usual high standard, being in trouble several times with crosses. His lapse didn't prove costly, however. The Rebels revived, bringing on Andy Alexander, who in the closing stages proved a real handful for the Heybridge defence.

The tall substitute won a penalty in the 79th minute which Marc Whiteman just converted, his spot-kick kissing a post on its way in. Whiteman had come close to scoring several times, and deserved to get on the scoresheet.

Earlier, Shaun Grice was booked, a not uncommon sighting at Woodside Road at this time of year, for seeking to exact justice for an opponent's wrongdoing.

Paul Rogers directed operations intelligently from midfield and was only inches too high with one header. Marc Pullan was solid and dependable at the back. All in all, it was a workmanlike performance by Worthing, promising good things for the next campaign.

WORTHING: Ormerod; Holmes, Dicker, Pullan, Cable; Collins, Rogers, Pook, Grice; Whiteman, Knee. Subs: Alexander (Pook 70), Pulling (Knee 89), Lutwyche. Att: 396.

Although unbeaten at home since January 3, Worthing have not won in four away league games as they go to original title favourites Billericay Town on Saturday for the first of two clashes. Worthing hope striker Sam Francis' shakes off a recurrent foot injury.