Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell says three points at relegation rivals Potters Bar would put them in a very strong position to achieve Isthmian Premier safety

Ryan Maxwell says Welling United players are well aware of the importance of their latest relegation battle.

The Wings visit drop rivals Potters Bar this Saturday, looking for points in their fight for Isthmian Premier survival.

Maxwell’s side are four points from safety after conceding twice in added time to lose 2-1 at Burgess Hill last weekend.

But they still have a game in hand on sides immediately outside the bottom four and there’s all to play for in the final nine matches.

They’ve generally fared well against teams around them under Maxwell and need to continue the theme at Potters Bar, who are two points worse off in 21st place.

“It’s obviously another big game,” said boss Maxwell.

“We know what these games consist of and the players are well-versed.

“We’ve come through most of the time with three points against teams we’ve had to beat, whether it be Cheshunt, Wingate, Carshalton, Canvey Island, Cray Valley.

“The only time we didn’t win a game against a side around us was Hashtag.

“So the boys are well aware of what it means and what it could do to the league table for us.

“We still have that game in hand as well, so three points on Saturday would put us in a very strong position.”

Welling travelled to Burgess Hill on a high after a resounding 4-1 midweek victory at Cray Valley.

They were on course for back-to-back away wins after Dartford loanee Sam Smith’s 70th-minute goal.

But Ben Pope levelled for the play-offs contenders in the first minute of added time and ex-Gillingham winger Chris Whelpdale scored a 99th-minute winner.

Maxwell felt his side paid the price for sitting on the lead.

He said: “We deserved a goal, and we got one, and then I feel we just got a little too deep.

“We needed to adjust that and we