Weston finished their Vanarama Conference South season with a draw at Havant & Waterlooville.

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 1

WESTON-S-MARE 1

HAVANT needed all three points from this game to remain in the Vanarama Conference South, but they failed to break down a stubborn Weston and will be playing in the Southern League Premier Division next season.

The result leaves Weston in 16th spot in the table, four places above the relegation zone, but what a transformation since the turn of the year when they were bottom of the pile and looked certain candidates to go down.

This was not a great game, as there was too much at stake for the home side, but afterwards the Weston players complained about the state of the pitch, being the worst they encountered this season, as the ball bobbled in all directions, ruling flowing football out of the question with passes by both sides going astray.

The home side made a blistering start and almost scored in the opening minute, as Ben Swallow cut through the Weston defence and crossed for Samir Mullings to fire wide of the far post. Twice more in quick succession, Swallow got the better of the Weston defence, but he was off target with his finishes.

Eventually the Havant pressure paid off as Swallow crossed for James Hayter to beat Luke Purnell from close range. Before the interval, Havant forced a couple of corners and were just off target.

During the first period, Weston were rarely out of their own half and failed to get a shot anywhere near the home goal.

Minutes into the second half, Havant skipper Brian Stock got through on his own, but Purnell came quickly off his line, to clear for a corner.

On 57 minutes, Weston brought on Jason Pope for Joe McClennan, who found difficulty with the pitch, and the complexion of the game changed. Weston began to take control, forcing a couple of corners and skipper Dayle Grubb going close, and Pope testing home keeper Ryan Young.

The equaliser came on 83 minutes when Tristan Plummer cut through the defence and crossed for Scott Wilson to notch his 17th league goal of the season on the far post. Minutes later, from another Plummer run, Wilson was only feet wide.

The home side brought on fresh legs as they looked for a late win, but despite forcing several corners, failed to get a shot on target.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Havant, Hayter (17). Weston, Wilson 83).

Shots on target: Havant 1, Weston 2.

Shots off target: Havant 8, Weston 4.

Corners: Havant 7, Weston 2.

Offsides: Havant 1, Weston 5.

Free kicks conceded: Havant 12, Weston 6.

Referee: Carl Brook (Sussex). Excellent game.

Bookings: Havant, Stock, Mullings.

Attendance: 815.

Weston squad: Purnell, Simpson, Barnes, Ingram, Keary, Fortune, McClennan (Pope 57), Plummer (Variouxakis 87), Wilson, Grubb (Wring 82), Edge. Subs (not used): Withey, Camper.