AN 87th-minute equaliser from Dave Knight earned Fleet a priceless point in this basement battle.

Although six points behind their nearest fellow strugglers, Thur-rock have two games in hand and a late escape from the drop cannot be ruled out if they can continue with the spirit shown here.

Thurrock took an 11th minute lead in controversial fashion. Ref-eree Lee Venamore looked set to blow his whistle when Havant’s Gary Elphick took a blow to the head, but allowed play to continue.

Danny Hart took advantage with a run and cross from the right which Keiron St Aimee headed home. Ten minutes later Havant got on terms when Paul Hinshel-wood’s free-kick ran loose in the box and Jay Gasson hit home.

The hosts took a 37th minute lead from the penalty spot when Craig Wilkins’s run on the right was ended by a clumsy Rob Swaine challenge and Luke Nightingale converted the set-piece.

Nightingale was thwarted by a Kenny Clark goal-line clearance before the break and Havant missed out on chances of making the game safe early in the second period.

And they were made to pay when substitute Knight grabbed that vital late equaliser to keep Fleet hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

They face another testing challenge tomorrow night when ninth-placed Team Bath, with little but pride to play for, come to Ship Lane.

It is a similar task next Saturday when they entertain a St Alban’s outfit who, a place below tomorrow’s visitors, are also not involved in promotion or relegation issues.

Results: AFC Wimbledon 0 Welling 1, Basingstoke 2 Fisher Athletic 2, Bishop's Stortford 2 Bognor Regis Town 0, Dorchester 0 Maidenhead Utd 3, Hampton & Richmond 4 Chelmsford 1, Havant & Waterlooville 2 Thurrock 2, St Albans 1 Newport County 1, Team Bath 0 Braintree Town 3, Weston-S-Mare 2 Bromley 1, Worcester 0 Eastleigh 1.