Ex-Saint Ian Baird ruefully reflected on a black Tuesday for Havant & Waterloovile at Cambridge City last night.

A 0-0 draw combined with the loss of their appeal against a three-point deduction means Hawks no longer control the destiny of the fourth and final play-off berth.

Having started the day with 69 points, they now have only 67. That plays into the hands of seventh-placed Histon who could dislodge Baird's men from that precious fifth spot by winning their penultimate game at home to Bishop's Stortford tonight.

And with Histon home again to relegated Maidenhead on Saturday, the cards now appear to be stacked in favour of the Cambridgeshire club.

Havant end their season with a tough derby at Eastleigh, who could themselves sneak fifth place if the other two stumble.

Struggling to hide his dismay at the FA's decision to uphold the points deduction, Baird admitted: "At this moment the play-off place is no longer in our control. It's very disappointing to have three points taken off us with two games to go. It's unjust for the players."

Havant were charged by the Conference with 'bringing the competition into disrespute' after breaking a gentlemen's agreement not to field midfielder Tony Taggart against his old club Weymouth in January's 2-1 win at Westleigh Park.

But Baird insisted: "There's nothing in the Conference rules saying you can't play a player who's been released from contract (by Weymouth) and signed by another club."