WAKERING saw their bid to end the season with some reward thwarted by a great display from home goalkeeper Mitch Swain.

With the village visitors firmly ensconced in 13th place and Northwood three spots higher, there was nothing to play for but pride in this affair.

But the two teams provided a fair share of goalmouth action for the 137-strong crowd.

After falling behind to an eighth minute Matt Baxter goal, understrength Wakering hit back and had an effort from skipper Nikki Beale cleared off the line.

Swain made a fine save from top scorer Martin Tuohy, but really put on the pressure after the break.

On top of injury victims James White and Elliott Gresham, Danny Pitts and Mark Cartlidge were also missing for Wakering.

But Iain O'Connell's men, who gave a debut to Southend Manor's Jack O'Connor at right-back, made light of this and forced Swain into good saves from James Foy and Tuohy.

Louis Green in the visiting goal had to be alert to thwart Sean Summer at the other end, but Swain produced his best save for the final move of the game, acrobatically turning Sean Foy's dipping effort over the bar.