AFTER two weeks without a game Welling United visited struggling Tamworth but, having gone  ahead,  had to settle with a point.

Following the departure of Doug Bergqvist, Wings boss Jamie Day gave a debut to Alfie Mawson, on loan from Brentford.

News Shopper: Guthrie celebrates opening the scoring

Early opportunities went Welling's way and Tobi Sho-Silva burst through but hit the wrong side of the side netting as he tried to slot home.

Sho-Silva had another chance when Jake Gallagher found Ross Lafayette who chested down cleverly to the Charlton loanee.

Having given himself a chance to shoot with his first touch, his second saw his outside of the foot effort gathered by Tamworth goalkeeper Cameron Belford.
 
Jack Obersteller slung in a cross that Sho-Silva met but whose header was deflected wide for a corner, then an Obersteller corner caused further problems for Tamworth but Mawson headed over.

News Shopper: Jake Gallagher gets a tackle in on Lloyd Kerry

Eventually, Tamworth mustered an effort that Lee Butcher did well to save from Jordan Keane at the foot of his near post. The resultant corner was hit in low but the impressive Joe Healy cleared at the near post.

Although a clear foul on Lafayette went unpunished, Sho-Silva did well to close down Ben Richards-Everton and find Harry Beautyman, but the Wings midfielder sliced wide.

Beautyman's endeavour brought Welling a well deserved goal four minutes before the break when, having won a tussle with Kieran Fenton in the corner, he crossed to Kurtis Guthrie who controlled at the far post before striking beyond Belford.

Having worked so hard to go ahead, Welling almost gave it away moments later when a miscommunication between Butcher and Mawson gave Lloyd Kerry a chance to lob at goal but fortunately for the Wings, his attempt landed on the bar and over.

Early in the second period Tamworth had a massive let off when Sho-Silva's break was halted by a cynical tackle by Kerry.

Although out wide, and by the touchline. Sho-Silva's first touch would have given him a clear run on goal but Kerry took him out unceremoniously and was very lucky to escape with a yellow card.

His pretence of being injured impressed no-one.

When play resumed, Obersteller's free kick found Guthrie whose effort came back off the crossbar.

Matthew Godden had an opportunity almost immediately afterwards but snatched at a half volley and flashed his effort over.

News Shopper: Matthew Godden (14) equalises late on in the second half

Loui Fazakerley's cross was just beyond Guthrie then, at the other end, Kieran Fenton saw his shot come back off Butcher's knee at the near post.

Godden's free kick was deflected by the defensive wall into the path of Andy Todd, but Blaine Hudson made a brave block at the cost of a corner.

Substitute Courtney Richard-Baker missed with a wild slice but Welling failed to hold out until the end and conceded with five minutes remaining.

Failing to defend a long free kick forward cost Welling with five minutes to go.

Although appearing to be offside, Godden, on loan from Scunthorpe, finished from close range.

Day's response was to bring on two defenders for two strikers and one, Connor McLaren, made a crucial clearance in injury time.  

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Obersteller, Gallagher, Mawson, Hudson, Beautyman, Guthrie Bender 88), Sho-Silva (McLaren 88), Lafayette, Healy. Unused substitutes: Turner, Ajala, Day. Att: 742.