Slimbridge leave it late as they beat a strong Totton side 4-3 in a feisty encounter to all but secure their league safety.

After a quiet eventless first half, the second half came alive delivering 6 goals in a frantic 17 minute spell with the game swinging end to end and the referee brandishing 7 yellow cards and a straight red as the game heated up.

Slimbridge gave Under 18 player Fintan Small his first start, replacing the absent Will Hawes, Steven Jackson and Korey Pring also returned to the squad after absence and injury.

The first half was a quiet one, with one of the best chances coming when Jason Brookes’ pass found Craig Feeney early on but his shot sailed over the bar.

Just past the half hour mark Justin Bennet had a glorious chance to put the visitors in the lead but home keeper Lewis Adams made a fantastic tackle to deny him on the edge of the 6 yard box.

On the stroke of half time Feeney pulled his shot across the goal and out for a goal kick from 20 yards on the left.

Incredibly, considering the scoreline, it was level at half time, but the deadlock was broken emphatically just eight minutes in to the second period.

Early in the half the industrious Martin hit a shot wide before the stalemate was broken on 53 minutes.

Brookes picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Swans box after the home side failed to clear and put in a delightful chip over Adams head dipping just under the bar and into the net.

The Swans almost replied immediately at the other end, Martin firing in a dangerous cross from the right to the near post where Mark Magee was lurking.

Magee could not quite get on the end of it and the ball was deflected for a corner as tempers flared in the box.

The corner was headed wide by captain Christien Turner at the far post as Slimbridge looked for a leveller.

The twists and turns of the first half continued on 65 minutes, Fintan Small having been in a tackle with visitors Connor York was impeded when trying to get up as play continued.

York appeared to kick out at Small which was spotted by the assistant referee on the far side.

After consultation the referee pulled play back and awarded Slimbridge the free kick and showed York a straight red card for his actions.

Th referee then lost control of the game to some extent as tempers flared on the pitch.

The fiery atmosphere seemed to spur the visitor on and a little over 5 minutes later they scored a second through Eddie Perrett from close range at the far post to double their lead.

Slimbridge manage Lee Driver-Dickerson made a change on 74 minutes to try and salvage a point bringing on experience Steve Jackson for Fin Brown.

Slimbridge finally broke through on 77 minutes, as they gained a free kick less than a yard outside the box on the left, up stepped Liam Smith hitting the ball low and hard into the far corner on the net to give the Swans a lifeline.

The Swans sensed an opportunity and seized it with both hands, jus three minutes later the home side were level.

Dan King’s looping cross into the box found the head of Magee who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-2 late on.

The drama did not stop there though as soon after it was Totton that were celebrating wildly.

The joy of being level lasted only two minutes as substitute Oliver Bradley robbed the ball on the left side of the field on the half way line, cut in and fired past Adams as the home defence backed off.

The game could have been done there, however Slimbridge looked to bounce back yet again.

The Swans never gave up and pushed forward in numbers and two minutes later a poor looping clearance from the visitors fell straight to Martin on the right side of the box and his first time volley flew into the back of the net leaving Murphy standing still in the visitors goal.

A hectic final couple of minutes ensued with both teams were fighting for every ball, it was Slimbridge who came out on top though.

With the Swans pressing forward for an unlikely winner, substitute Jackson was fouled just inches inside the box by Jack Smith.

With only three minutes of normal time remaining the referee awarding the Swans a penalty. Magee stepped up and fired the kick at the keeper, his follow up was also well save but the ball fell loose to Myron Turner to tap into an empty net from 5 yards sending the home supporters wild.

The Swans now find themselves 11 points clear of the drop zone with 7 games remaining. Next week the Swans travel to Winchester before returning to Thornhill Park for a run of three consecutive home games.