The two sides battled out a goal-less stalemate that all but ended Borough’s play-off aspirations and added to Kings’ relegation worries. Bright spring sunshine echoed Langley’s mood as they were able to field what could arguably be considered their best starting eleven on the day for the first time in an injury plagued season.

However, there was nothing noteworthy until mid-first half, when visiting keeper Fynn Talley, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, was called upon to make smart saves from Alex Lafleur and Harry Crawford in quick succession. Borough were displaying some neat approach work, but getting little change from a commanding back three, with a situation that was being duplicated at the other end doing little to lift the fans.

Gosport came more into the game in the second half and Kings survived a goalmouth scramble, before a move of rare quality between Bradley Wadkins and Harry Crawford saw the latter’s vicious shot brilliantly saved by Talley. The keeper had to replicate that from an Alfie Williams 25 yarder soon after, but Borough came back to bring out the best in Kings’ custodian Alfie Marriott, who made two important saves as the contest threatened to flicker into life. Kings introduced some urgency with a late change to the front three, but the deadlock never looked like being broken, as a largely aerial contest ground to a frustrating conclusion.

So Kings gain another precious point, but finished disappointed at being unable to grab the vital win, as Dorchester’s single goal victory at Wimborne stretches the gap to three points. The other lifeline is in the Isthmian Premier, where a constantly changing picture sees Cray drop into the bottom two and East Thurrock United become the hunted, with a two point advantage over Kings. The bottom two in each of the four Step 3 divisions go down and are joined by the third from bottom team with the worst points per game record across the four divisions. It looks like this one is going to the wire!