The 18-11 result leaves them firmly ensconced at the foot of the table, now four points adrift of the rest of the field and eight away from avoiding the drop.

A dreadfully disappointing first-half – strewn with errors and frequent interruptions – ended with the home side in an 11-6 lead that was tribute to the way the much-changed team had begun to play in the second quarter.

Sid Claffey missed what should have been a comfortable opportunity to give Havant a first–minute lead with a penalty.

But the hosts were soon on the scoresheet as Callum Wilson shared four penalties with the opposition kicker.

A shambolic game with any number of knock-ons, principally from the Barking backs, sprang to life as half-time approached.

A flowing move by the Havant backs was halted close to the Barking line and the recycled ball then reached Pete Whelan to score his maiden league try.

This gave Havant the advantage, which could have been increased moments before the half-time whistle when an excellent kick and chase by Keith Molyneux only failed when he knocked-on.

Barking had also knocked-on with the line again at their mercy only minutes before, but with their team leading at the break, and showing signs of gelling, home supporters were quite happy.

However, the early minutes of the second period saw Barking in a different light as their forwards took control.

Havant were defending for their lives and the tension quickly led to the first outbreak of fisticuffs between the packs.

It was a matter of time before the visitors scored and the try came after 51 minutes when the ball reached their winger and he raced away to level the scores.

The pressure on Havant eased when a penalty to Barking was reversed for foul play.

But the visitors soon returned to the offensive and another ball was moved to Scott Shaw on his wing and he again obliged with a try – this time converted.

Havant could scarcely get out of their half and their cause was not helped when injuries forced them into changes. As the game became increasingly petulant, only poor handling prevented Barking scoring more.

After the heroics last week against league leaders Ealing, this was a bitterly disappointing performance from Havant.

They were the worst of two poor teams on the day and it is going to require a huge change in fortune if they are to escape relegation this time.