Matt Wells keeps possesion in Walden's draw with Harpenden

SAFFRON Walden’s promotion hopes hang by a thread following a disappointing 3-3 draw with Harpenden on Saturday.

The result leaves Walden fifth in the table, seven points behind second-placed Felixstowe, and with a mountain to climb to claim a top-two spot with just six games of the season remaining.

Skipper Andy Boyd admits that, even with taking maximum points, his team might now have too much to do.

“It is going to be uphill and without doubt we need to win every game,” he said.

“Fortunately Felixstowe only drew at the weekend as well, so we still have a chance and we’ll keep pushing.

“We also still have Felixstowe and St Ives [in third place] to play; if we can beat them both then it could make it interesting. We’ll just have to focus on each game as it comes.”

Walden started brightly against Harpenden on Saturday and took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Boyd and Tom Greig.

But Harpenden hit back, scoring three goals to take the lead before Matt Wells’ last minute effort rescued a point for the hosts. It was possibly more than Walden deserved, according to Boyd.

“We were quite good in the first half but in the second half we were dire – we were lucky to get the draw in the end,” he said.

“It is disappointing because the week before against Cambridge City we put in a really good performance for 50, 60 minutes, but we just couldn’t get going [against Harpenden].

“There isn’t a difference in standard between us and the top teams in the division, but I think there is in experience. We’re still a young team and that has shown.”

Walden will be looking to bounce back as they host promotion rivals St Ives in a must-win game at Newport on Saturday, 1.30pm start.