Welling United 0-1 AFC Halifax

Earlier in the season, a first half hat-trick from Lee Gregory gave the Shaymen a comfortable victory in Yorkshire and the Halifax talisman was again on target at Park View Road to ensure they completed their double.

Wings manager Jamie Day had to shuffle his pack again to cover the absence of Jake Gallagher (suspended), the injured pair of Kurtis Guthrie and Ross Lafayette, plus Jack Obersteller, recovering from illness.

Matters got worse for Welling when full back Connor McLaren was carried off on a stretcher in the 13th minute.

No defenders on the bench meant that Harry Cornick was introduced in a forward role, Loui Fazakerley switched from right back to left back, and Josh Wakefield dropped back to cover.

By then, Welling had already almost gone ahead with Tobi Sho-Silva heading just over.

Sho-Silva became the creator of Welling’s next chance which followed the substitution.

Although fouled, he was allowed to carry on and played in Toby Ajala whose low shot was well saved by Matt Gennon at the cost of a corner.

Ajala then fed Cornick who squared for Lee Clarke but the Welling captain shot directly at Glennon.

Towering central defender Marc Roberts headed over from a deep cross before Fazakerley was cautioned for a foul. Paul Marshall took the free-kick but Jamie Turner saved easily.

More good work from Sho-Silva allowed Cornick a chance to fire in a shot but Glennon saved comfortably.

Simon Ainge’s header from a long throw was claimed by Turner then Gregory took advantage of a loose pass out of defence but he was hurried into shooting wide.

Roberts came close to breaking the dead-lock when his header from a corner came back off the crossbar.

At the start of the second period, Ajala chased Joe Healy’s ball but his cross was just too high for Sho-Siva and flew away off the top of the Charlton Athletic loanees head.

Disaster struck for Welling four minutes into the half when Gregory, who was about to net, was dragged to the ground by Blaine Hudson. Referee Dean Treleaven infuriated the Halifax team by blowing his whistle for a penalty even though they were able to net the loose ball.

Eventually, Hudson was shown a red card before Gregory slotted home from the spot.

Another re-shuffle was necessary and Clarke dropped back to partner Alfie Mawson in the middle.

Even though shorthanded, the Wings created further openings. Harry Beautyman had a shot saved by Glennon and when the half clearance fell to Healy, his powerful shot hit Paul Marshall and flew away for a corner.

Mawson was next to be thwarted by Glennon when his free-kick was deflected off a head in the defensive wall only for the goalkeeper to scramble it away for another Wings corner.

AFC Halifax made chances of their own against the Welling make-shift defence and Lois Maynard shot across the face of goal when well placed.

Gregory had a shot half blocked allowing Turner to gather then Ryan Crowther cut in but blazed wide.

James Bolton blocked a Sho-Silva shot bravely before Matty Pearson had a low effort saved by Turner.

Scott McManus shot over then Marlon Jackson burst through only for Turner to make a brilliant save. Gregory was unable to finish at the far post.

In injury time, Fazakerley brought down a long ball skilfully but Jackson made a brilliant last gasp tackle to ensure the visitors claimed victory.

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, McLaren (Cornick 13), Wakefield, Hudson, Mawson, Beautyman, Clarke, Ajala, Sho-Silva, Healy. Unused substitutes: Karagiannis, Butcher, Day.