Ilford safe for another year after result goes their way.

Ilford boss Colin Walton believes their Ryman One North season has been a massive disappointment.

The Foxes boss witnessed his side lose their final game at home to Harlow Town 2-1 but escaped relegation thanks to their superior goal difference after bottom side Ware could only defeat Waltham Forest 2-0 after requiring a three clear goal win.

What made the feat more all the more amazing was Waltham Forest only had nine players from the start, and went down to eight after having Valentine Lawrence sent off.

After a poor start to the season, where the Cricklefield side had only picked up one win before the turn of the year, they had rallied of late to push themselves clear of the relegation zone.

“Winning one before the turn of the year is one of the reasons why we are in this situation we find ourselves in,” said Walton. “Since the turn of the year we have proved we can perform well, albeit not as often as I’d have liked.

“Usually you can put it down to some of the players moving on, but the only one we have really lost is AJ Olatunbosun at the end of March.”

Walton’s target each and every season has been to secure the Foxes’ safety in the division and in doing so sets his side a 32-point target, a mark they have fallen short of by two.

The Cricklefield boss felt there was a lack of urgency and passion from his side in their final encounter, where substitute Kabir Jeetoo struck late to improve their goal difference, which proved crucial in the end.

“We didn’t play well at all,” he added. “We looked like we lacked belief and the first of the Harlow goals was a sloppy one to concede.

“At half time we gave them a stern talking to, but lo and behold we conceded within the first few moments of the second half.

“Only for about the last half hour did we look like we were interested. The tiniest player on the pitch has come up and scored a header which could be decisive.”