Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell warns the job isn’t done despite moving out of Isthmian Premier relegation zone for the first time in six months

Welling United are out of the relegation zone for the first time in six months - but manager Ryan Maxwell has warned the job isn’t done.

The Wings climbed out of the Isthmian Premier bottom four on goal difference at the weekend, thanks to Troy Howard’s sensational 88th-minute strike in a 1-1 draw at Wingate & Finchley.

It was a significant moment for a side who were nine points from safety at one stage and the challenge now is to complete the great escape.

They host Chichester this Saturday and visit Brentwood on Easter Monday (both 3pm), looking to maintain their survival push.

“A massive amount of work has gone into this,” said Maxwell.

“There’s no secret to it - it’s pure hard work and the players have followed suit.

“I can’t give them enough praise.

“They’ve been exceptional and they have to continue it. We’ve done nothing yet.

“We’ve managed to get out of a situation but we’ve got to stay out of it now, which is a different type of goal.

“I don’t think that changes anything for us because the goal was always to get out and stay out.

“I’ve always said that from quite early.

“I’ve promised the players certain things and they’ve come to fruition.

“When you make early calls and tell them what’s going to happen, and it does happen, you find they’ve got your back and total belief in what myself and the management team are telling them.

“But they’re doing the hard work, that’s for sure.

“It’s all about self-belief. Not everyone has the same mentality as myself or the players.

“From the outside looking in, most people do throw the towel in, and that’s the harsh reality.

“But I’m a person who fights to his last breath. Never say die, I was brought up like that, and that’s transmitted itself to the players, and I think these