WELLING'S bid to move away from the Blue Square South drop zone was halted by the weather on Tuesday.

The Wings' Blue Square South game against Newport was called off at lunchtime due to a waterlogged pitch following heavy overnight rain.

Meanwhile, Welling assistant manager Phil Handford has revealed that he was persuaded to make a dramatic return by new boss Andy Ford.

Having turned down the manager’s job last summer, Handford linked up with Eastleigh earlier in the season but left his coaching post there in September.

He said: "I know the situation that Welling are in and, having played for the club and been here as assistant manager before, I do have an affection for them.

"I spoke to Andy last Friday and he swayed my decision. We’ve got three months to get as many points on the board as possible.

"I couldn’t do the manager’s job because of the time involved but I am going to give it everything I’ve got in the next three months to keep the club in the division it should be. I believe we can stay up."