Waltham Abbey were defeated 3-2 at home to South Park as the visitors secured survival in the Bostik League South Central Division.

An inconsistent run of form since the turn of the year had seen Abbey’s fight for a play-off position dwindle, especially having won only once in their last six league games, a 3-2 success at Ware last time out.

The visitors, who have the second-worst defensive record in the division, stormed into a three-goal lead courtesy of two goals from Great Evans either side of Daniel Uchechi’s strike, and goals from Sammy Knott and Billy Holland were not enough to see the hosts come back to take any points.

South Park knew that a win would mean they wouldn’t have to rely on Hertford Town’s result to stay up, and they made a great stride towards that when, after 22 minutes, AFC Wimbledon youth graduate Evans put them in front.

Things got even better for them 15 minutes later when Uchechi, a former U23 international for Nigeira, doubled the advantage, and it looked like it was going to be a dismal end to the season for Abbey.

Evans added his second and South Park’s third 11 minutes into the second half to virtually secure their survival, which would have been confirmed anyway due to Hertford’s 3-3 draw away at Bedfont Sports.

Later on, though, that poor defensive record surfaced and Sammy Knott reduced the arrears just after the hour mark to give Abbey a glimmer of hope.

Billy Holland pulled a further goal back on 87 minutes but it was too little too late for the home side, and South Park ensured that they would remain in the division for next season at the expense of Hertford.

With no play-off campaign to go through like some thought there could be earlier in the season, Abbey confirm a ninth-place finish in the league, 14 points behind Westfield in the final spot.