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.