Walden have one foot in the premier division after an impressive display at home against Havering, on Saturday.

It was their second 4-0 win in consecutive weeks over a promotion rival, following the victory at Old Southendians last weekend.

The win, coupled with second-placed Southendians only managing a draw at Ipswich, means Walden open up a four point gap over their rivals, and eight above Havering in third, with just four games remaining.

Yet, despite the comfortable cushion, captain Matt Wells is urging his team not to take their foot off the pedal.

He said: “Assuming the other two [OS and Havering] win the rest of their games, then we still need at least two wins to go up. If we want to up as champions, then we need three wins.

“The hard work is done but the job is not yet done. Of course we can enjoy these last four games now that we have that cushion, but we cannot be complacent. Teams from fourth position to 11th can still, mathematically, get relegated so everyone is playing for something.

“These final games will not be easy and we cannot afford to switch off.”

Walden did make Saturday’s encounter look easy though and they were worthy winners, dominating from start to finish. Wells grabbed two of the goals with Tom Kemp and David Boyd adding the others.

“It was probably our best performance of the year. We were in total control and dominated from the first to last whistle. Their goalkeeper had an outstanding game and if it were not for him then the scoreline got have been a lot more,” said Wells.

“The most pleasing thing for me was the maturity that the guys showed. We’ve got a young side but they played superbly.

“It can be very difficult to score against a team with 10 men behind the ball. You have to be patient, wait for your chance and then be clinical when it matters. We showed that.”

Walden do not have a game this weekend but return to action away at Harpenden on March 1. That will be followed by games against Ford, Ipswich and Ely, who are already relegated, on the final day of the season.