Waltham Abbey extended their winless run to five league games, as they ended their Bostik League North Division campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw with AFC Hornchurch.

Abbey, who have won just two league games in 2018, were dealt a blow on the stroke of half time when Christian Assombalonga gave Hornchurch the lead, but Paul Joynes’ men turned the game on its head within ten minutes of the second half.

Firstly, Darelle Russell equalised for Abbey just seconds after the restart and ten minutes later, the striker doubled his advantage to give the Bostik North Division side the lead.

It looked like Abbey were on course for just their third league win of 2018, but they were handed a late sucker punch when Hornchurch’s Theo Fairweather-Johnson equalised with just five minutes remaining to secure the visitors a point.

The result means Abbey finished the season in 18th place, nine points clear of the drop zone.

Elsewhere, in the Essex Senior League, Waltham Forest avoided the drop on a dramatic final day as they fought back to earn a crucial 3-1 win over Ilford.

In what was described as one of the most important days in the club’s history, Ryan Maxwell’s men got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind within 12 minutes, after Ilford’s Chris Lockwood calmly converted from the spot.

But Forest responded with a spot-kick of their own, as Shomari Barnwell made no mistake to put Ryan Maxwell’s men back on level terms, after Tony Da Silva was brought down inside the area.

Having got back on level terms, Forest then took the lead early in the second half, as the ball fell to Josh Brimacombe-Wiard, who took a touch before smashing the ball into the net.

Three minutes later and Forest fans were in dreamland, as Ryan Maxwell’s men extended their lead through Rheo Josephs, who tapped the ball home at the far post after Ilford failed to clear a deep cross.

That goal was to seal a crucial win for Forest, whose unbeaten run of five league games has seen them pick up 11 points in recent weeks, moving them up to 16th place in the table.

But Wadham Lodge’s chances of remaining in the Essex Senior League were dealt a severe blow, as they let a crucial three points slip through their grasp thanks to a late equaliser from Sawbridgeworth Town.

Having missed an early penalty, Lodge took the lead mid-way through the first half thanks to Danny Francis, only to be pegged back by Aaron Thomas six minutes later.

Things went from bad to worse when Zak Johnson put Sawbridgeworth in front, but Lodge rallied and equalised on the stroke of half time through Francis, who netted his second of the game.

Marc Farrell’s men then looked on course to net a crucial three points which would have seen them move out of the drop zone when Eli Benoit put them in front and that was how it remained until the 91st minute, when Sawbridgeworth’s Mark Williams netted a last gasp equaliser to earn the home side a point.

The result means Lodge must win their last game of the season against Barkingside if they want to remain in the division.

Meanwhile, Redbridge missed out on a top two finish despite beating Hackney Wick 2-1 thanks to goals from Remi Nelson and Dan Gilchrist.

FC Romania’s win over Southend Manor meant they secured second place, with Redbridge now looking to claim third spot when they take on Basildon United in mid-week.

Lastly, it was a tough weekend for West Essex, who were thrashed 5-0 by champions Great Wakering Rovers, leaving them in seventh place in the table.