Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell believes the club’s first draw of the season could be vital in their quest for Isthmian Premier survival – in more ways than one

Ryan Maxwell feels the significance of Welling’s first draw this season - in their 28th league match - can’t be underestimated.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley’s first-half penalty save ensured the Wings’ Isthmian Premier home game against St Albans at the weekend ended goalless.

It couldn’t prevent them dropping to the foot of the table, after Potters Bar beat Dartford.

But with Welling only six points from safety and having two games in hand on sides immediately outside the drop zone, it could yet prove a vital result - in more ways than one.

“It was a point we’d have taken before the game, when we haven’t played for two weeks,” said boss Maxwell.

“St Albans are off the back of an away win versus Burgess Hill, which is a tough place to go, and they’ve come to us game-ready.

“We weren’t, and I think the boys have to take credit for the point and the shut-out because we were a bit rusty.

“We’ve had games where we’ve been more than worthy of points and not got them, like Lewes away and Aveley away.

“They say these things level themselves out and I think Saturday may have been an example of that.

“It’s the club’s first draw this season and second clean sheet, so there are nothing but positives from me.

“It’s incredible that we haven’t drawn a game when we’re in February, but I think that will also do a lot of our confidence.

“We can make reference now to Saturday and it’s also in the players’ own memories, keeping that clean sheet and getting the point, because a point is very valuable at the moment, and we’ve got two games in hand that we know are vital.

“That point could be huge and it might not be the last time we need to rely on getting a point, so I think it’s good for the players to know they’ve got that monkey off their