Ryan Blackman's speculative free-kick was enough to give Waltham Abbey the shot in the arm they needed in their battle against relegation on Saturday.

The Isthmian Division North strugglers, currently third from bottom, eked out a much-needed 1-0 win over high-flying AFC Hornchurch with Williams' opportunism handing the Abbotts their first win in four league games.

Chances were at a premium for both sides with Abbey doing well tot nullify the threat of the Urchins, who include 30-goal George Purcell in their number.

The win leaves Waltham Abbey three points behind Heybridge Swifts in 22nd with six games to play.

Abbey have an inferior goal difference – minus 25 – but there is just one goal's difference between the two sides ahead of the run-in.

Paul Joynes and Mark Cutler's men start their Easter programme at AFC Sudbury on Saturday.

Harlow Town visit Capershotts on Bank Holiday Monday.