Heybridge Swifts lost out in a tight game at Brightlingsea Regent.
A solitary first-half goal proved to be decisive as Regent ran out 1-0 winners at North Road in their Ryman League division north encounter.
Brightlingsea took the lead from the penalty spot.
Jake Turner despatched the spot kick for Regent to go 1-0 up on 27 minutes.
Swifts had a chance to equalise with a penalty of their own on 82 minutes but the kick was fired wide of the goal.
It got tougher for Swifts a minute later as they were reduced to ten men when Liam Thomas was sent off for a second bookable offence after picking up a first yellow card early in the second half.
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