SALISBURY goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer converted a dramatic late penalty to safeguard City's Premier Division future.

Sawyer's spot-kick stunner gave Salisbury a superb 2-1 win at high-flying Heybridge Swifts and stretched their unbeaten league run to nine games.

A dream start had seen them go ahead after just 39 seconds when Matt Tubbs latched on to a Richard Gillespie through ball to thump a shot past keeper Paul Rutherford.

But Swifts, 6-1 midweek winners at home to Northwood, hit back after City had missed a swathe of chances to plunder a late leveller before Sawyer's calmness.

Rutherford kept his side in the game against a rampant Salisbury side, denying Gillespie on 26 minutes and Wayne Turk two minutes later.

On 32 minutes Gillespie lobbed a simple chance over the bar, and before the break Tubbs had a sharp chance blocked in the Heybridge area as City continued to dominate.

Shortly after the interval Gillespie missed a good opportunity when, after intercepting a poor back pass, he chose the wrong option in trying to round Rutherford.

With four minutes remaining the Swifts levelled when a 35-yard rocket shot from Paul Abbott surprised keeper Kevin Sawyer before rebounding from his chest for Cliff Akurang to tap in.

As Heybridge pressed for a winner they were caught on the break when Robbie Matthews flicked the ball to Tubbs who was fouled in the box by Rutherford.

Sawyer volunteered to take the spot-kick, blasting the ball low into the corner for the winner.

Assistant manager Barry Blankley was delighted with the performance, saying: "We knew it was going to be difficult against a team on a good run who had had a great result during the week and who were in with a shout for a play-off place.

"We thoroughly deserved the three points.

"No-one could argue with that - especially as we were without Craig Davis, Mat Jones and Tommy Widdrington.

"We were disappointed that we didn't come in at half-time four or five up after the great start we made, and when Richard Gillespie missed a chance at the beginning of the second half we thought we might live to regret letting those chances getting away.

"Their equaliser was unfortunate as Kevin Sawyer would normally have dealt comfortably with the shot and we thought all the hard work might be undone.

"But Kevin made a superb double save and after Mat had earned a penalty showed great spirit in being the first to volunteer.

"Richard could have had a hat-trick but he is a competent player - when he sticks one in he will probably get a hatful of goals.

"Next week Harrow will be fighting for survival when they visit us, and it will be a great contest.

"Although we are now safe, our lads are professional enough to know that every time we go out to play we go out to win."