WALTHAM FOREST manager Olewale Ojelabi appears to have fulfiled his promise of beating the drop, despite his team’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to local rivals Waltham Abbey on Tuesday.

The Stags are now 12 points above the relegation zone after a vital 2-0 victory at Potters Bar on Saturday, with just four games left in the season.

While they can still technically be overtaken by struggling Witham Town, the weekend’s result has seen them take a huge stride towards safety.

That said, Ojelabi will have to pick his troops up in time to face Concord Rangers on Saturday, after their midweek defeat to Abbey.

The Abbotts are making a late surge towards promotion after three successive 3-0 victories.

The biggest boost for the side in recent weeks has been the return to action of star striker Harry Elmes, after a long period spent on the sidelines with injury.

He scored a brace against Forest to make it four goals in his last three games. Marc Sontag grabbed the other, as the hosts cantered home.

The team travel to Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday, as they desperately try to apply more pressure on the top three teams.

The Abbotts fell away after a terrific first half of the season, but recent results have seen them climb back up to fourth in the league, five points behind third-placed Brentwood Town.

They will have to muster a stirring finish, as well as pray that other results go their way, if they are to have a chance of hijacking the top two places.

Meanwhile, Leyton played out a enthralling 2-2 draw with Redbridge on Tuesday.

The Lilywhites have made a marked improvement under Troy Townsend, and they will be further tested when they face Ware this weekend, as they aim to finish as high as they can.

In the Premier Division, Harlow Town have had three points deducted from their total after allegedly fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.

They have fallen back into the drop zone, despite Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wealdstone.

In the Essex Olympian Senior Division One, Buckhurst Hill beat Roydon 2-0, while Leytonstone lost to Leigh Ramblers 3-2.