WEYMOUTH manager John Hollins is now looking forward to building a squad for next season after his side secured their Blue Square Premier status last night with a 0-0 draw at champions Aldershot Town.
The Terras stretched their unbeaten run to five games despite conceding a second-half spot-kick that was missed by John Grant.
That point and Farsley Celtic's 4-1 defeat at York City means that Hollins' men are now five points clear of the bottom four.
The relieved boss said: "It was a very tough game. Having already won the title and done everything, they started really fast as they normally do.
"Chris Blackburn has been playing with a knock and could not play for us and Stephen Henderson was a bit sore but thankfully came through it.
"We played four across the back with Matt Bailey and Stuart Beavon up front and Justyn Roberts coming in, and although our defence had not played together much in the past they got to grips with it really well.
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"Aldershot had a lot of the ball but could not break us down and when they did, their shooting was either wild or Stephen Henderson dealt with it. We had a couple of breakaways but our final ball was not that good.
"At the start of the second half they really went at us and won a very poor penalty. John Grant ran across Scott Doe but he never touched him. He then just bumped into Scott and went down but thankfully justice was done because he hit his penalty against a post.
"We got a bit tired towards the end with all the hard work that we had done so we changed it, bringing on Nick Crittenden, Marcus Browning and Stuart Douglas.
"We went on to keep the ball really well and even break them down a couple of times. Stuart, to his credit, got on the end of a couple of things and headed one just wide but I think the draw was a fair result.
"That is five games unbeaten now with three draws and two wins, and there is no doubt that we are now starting to look like a team."
A crowd of 5,980 watched the game and although the home fans were in party mode, the away contingent was by no means drowned out.
Hollins added: "Our fans were magnificent, every one of them. They were packed in over the far side and cheered us every inch of the way, particularly when they sensed we were going to get a point.
"There is now a lot of thinking to be done about what we are going to do in preparation for next season but one thing is for sure and that is we do not want to be in this position ever again.
"If we start next season with the same attitude we are showing at the moment then we will do well but if we don't then we will be back in the mire again.
"The players have showed fantastic character over the past couple of months and we need to build on that. There are good foundations here and a good fan base as well."
Wins for Halifax Town and Northwich Victoria last night means Weymouth's final day opponents Altrincham require a victory at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.
Hollins said: "We have got one game left to play and we want to win it. We have got to finish the season on a high. Yes, Altrincham need to win but we are on a good run and we want to keep that going."
The last few weeks have been fantastic, and we have even avoided the dreaded final day lottery. A really brilliant effort from John, Alan and the all the players and backroom staff.
The last few weeks have been fantastic, and we have even avoided the dreaded final day lottery. A really brilliant effort from John, Alan and the all the players and backroom staff.
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