After a slow start, Welling played some exciting football and came away disappointed to draw with high flying Eastleigh.

Once again, Loui Fazakerley was forced to shuffle his pack as Harry Osborne missed out through injury. Tashan Adeyinka was left out as Welling started with George Porter starting as a lone striker. As expected , Leyton Orient loanee Harry Lee was selected for his full Welling debut.

There was little excitement in the first 15 minutes although Eastleigh started the livelier with Welling sitting a little too deep.

Finally, there was a goal attempt but Josh Payne's effort for Eastleigh from outside the area was well off target.

Former Wing Ross Lafayette then jinked into the penalty area before shooting just beyond the far post.

After 22 minutes, Eastleigh went ahead when a good passing move ended with Andy Drury playing in James Constable, and the striker continued his scoring streak with a fine finish that gave Tom King no chance.

Eight minutes later, Welling scored an unlikely equaliser when Ben Jefford's teasing cross was knocked past his own goalkeeper by Jamie Turley.

Visibly lifted, Welling came again and good close control by Ricky Wellard caused chaos in the area and he could easily have been awarded a penalty from an untidy tackle.

As half time loomed Reece Harris fired in a shot that needed a good save from Michael Poke in the Eastleigh goal.

George Porter created a great chance for himself early in the second period when slipping past Joe Partington but his measured side footed effort went just the wrong side of the far post.

Another excellent run by Porter saw him break clear and Poke made a great stop. Xavier Vidal following up looked sure to score however Turley atoned for his earlier discretion with a brave challenge that deflected over, but strangely, a goal kick was awarded.

Seventeen minutes into the second half, Eastleigh won the first corner of the match and Turley's shot was deflected wide.

Constable then had a great chance to restore the Spitfires' lead when breaking through but King made a brilliant block with his legs.

They paid for that when minutes later, Wellard danced his way through. A desperate block fell to Vidal and he rounded Poke before smashing home.

That lead lasted just six minutes though, when Ben Strevens was left unmarked in the centre of the penalty area to head home Jai Reason's free kick.

Back came Welling and Fagan crashed a header against the crossbar.

Finally, Nigel Lugg felt compelled to produce a yellow card after a series of crunching tackles, booking Jack Midson for a foul on Sahr Kabba.

Despite looking well offside, Constable was then allowed to break away but Sam Corne got back to make a brilliant saving tackle.

On Saturday, Welling travel to Wrexham and will be looking to build on an excellent performance

Welling United: King, Fagan, Jefford, Vidal, Chambers, Lokko, Corne, Wellard, Lee, Porter (Kabba 70), Harris. Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Adeyinka, Nortey, Obafemi.