Hampton & Richmond Borough defender Darren Powell reckoned survival would be mission accomplished for him and would give a young squad to right the wrongs of this season.

Back-to-back 2-0 defeats to Welling United and Basingstoke Town have left the Beavers clinging to life in the Blue Square South.

A revival prior to Easter had seen them briefly move out of the drop zone, but a run of four straight defeats since lifting the Middlesex Senior Cup on April 9 has them entrenched in the bottom three.

Boss Mark Harper’s men must win at bottom club Thurrock on Saturday’s final day and need Maidenhead and Havant & Watrerlooville – above them – to lose.

Former Brentford, Southampton and Derby County defender Powell returned to the Beveree – where he started his career - earlier this season to help his old club’s fight for survival.

And a dramatic escape would be nothing more than the team deserved after a season of struggle.

“Winning things and avoiding relegation are great feelings and what you play the game for. It mean a lot if it were to happen,” he said.

“It is out of our hands but all we can do is go and win the game and hope it goes our way.

“This is a young team that has had a tough season.

“They have been on a steep learning curve over the last few months, but hopefully the hard work can be rewarded and we stay up.

“This team has the talent and deserves the opportunity to stay in this league and put things right.”