Another point on the road was a step closer to guaranteed safety for Welling United when they drew at Havant and Waterlooville.

Sadly for the Hawks, failure to win meant that their relegation was confirmed.

Former Wing Jack Jebb had the hosts’ first effort with a shot that was deflected and looped into the arms of Reice Charles-Cook. Then Jason Adigun had a shot for Welling that Ross Worner held at the second attempt.

Reece Grant turned Devante Stanley to send Adigun away but the Hawks full back recovered to get back and make a brilliant tackle to thwart the Charlton Athletic loanee. Then, at the other end, James Roberts curled well wide of the far post.

Stanley made another crucial intervention when deflecting Cameron Green’s shot past the post before another Roberts trade-mark attempt to bend it inside the far post went closer than his previous effort.

He tried his luck again from long range but his shot was gathered easily by Charles-Cook before Nathan Carlyle’s cross found Jonas Mukuna who looked certain to score until Riccardo Di Trolio got across to make a brave, solid block.

After the break, Grant’s first time shot from twenty-five yards flew over before Havant came close following chaos in the penalty area. Roberts’ shot was deflected onto the bar and the follow-up was blocked. Further mayhem ensued and Joe McNerney’s header was cleared off the line by Jack Burchell. Roberts then had another shot at goal that must have taken a slight deflection as a corner was awarded.

Jack Munns was then introduced by Welling manager Rod Stringer, replacing David Amoo, and the change of shape galvanised the Wings. Green produced the pass of the match with a diagonal that sent Gene Kennedy clear but he was unable to slot it past the experience Hawks goalkeeper who came out quickly to close down the angle. Kennedy had another opportunity when a corner was knocked down but he fired over from close range.

That was the last clear cut chance although, in injury time, a tame shot by Antony Papadopoulos was well off target then, at the other end, Roberts hoofed an effort well over from an impossible angle.

On Saturday. Welling entertain Weymouth before ending their campaign at Slough Town seven days later.

Havant and Waterlooville: Worner, Stanley, Innocent, Mukuna (McCarthy 46), McNerney (Donkor 66), Willson, Carlyle (Woolston 59), Kealy, Seager, Roberts, Jebb. Subs not used: Walker-Harris, Crook.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Jebb, Carlyle,

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Johnson (Lema 83), Green, Burchell, Byrd, Di Trolio, Adigun, Kennedy, Amoo (Munns 60), R. Grant (Roscrow 66), Papadopoulos. Sub not used: Lema, Ellul, Williams-Lowe.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Di Trolio

Referee: Matthew Norton

Assistants: Colin Hubbard and James Welsh

Attendance: 750

Images courtesy of Dave Budden