After the electrical problems seven days earlier, the two teams were delighted to get the F.A. Trophy tie finalised to allow them both to move on.

All the recent managerial activity overshadowed what would have been likely to be a lively local derby. However, neither would have wanted 120 minutes with games in three and five days.

Loui Fazakerley took charge of the Welling team ahead of Jody Brown taking the helm on Boxing Day.

Matthew Godden had the first opportunity that Benji Buchel had to stretch to save then get up quickly to smother as Brendan Kiernan closed in.

Clever wing play by Kiernan caused further problems for the Wings defence but Alex Osborn hit the bar from close range and Matt Johnson hooked the rebound over.

Daryl McMahon then shot over as Ebbsfleet started brightly.

Sam Corne's clever ball gave Malachi Hudson the chance to whip in a cross but it was just beyond the incoming strikers as Welling showed the first signs of coming into the game.

After 27 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Anthony Acheampong held Aristide Bassele back in the penalty area. Kieron St. Aimie kept his nerve and fired home emphatically.

Things started to get a bit niggly and Osborn was cautioned for a wild challenge on Chris Bush.

Zach Fagan came to Welling's rescue when clearing off the line from Godden and Shane Huke followed up with a fierce effort that flew wide before Jake Gallagher was booked for a rash tackle on Johnson.

Kenny Clark headed wide for the visitors, McMahon fired a free kick into the arms of Buchel, and Barney Williams had to make a crucial header away from a teasing cross.

However Welling looked dangerous whenever they broke and scored again on the stroke of half time with a wonderful team goal.

Corne sent Malachi Hudson away and his ball in was back-heeled deftly into the path of Marsh who fired home in style.

When the second half started, the Fleet again showed their intent. Billy Bricknell fired wide of the near post and Johnson had a header saved before they reduced the deficit. Osborn made space for himself and slid over a low cross for Kiernan to finish from close range.

McMahon fired over as the Fleet continued to search for the equaliser.

Jamie Day made a change when bringing on Anthony Cook for Osborn and he flicked an effort wide almost immediately.

Once more, McMahon missed the target as Welling struggled to keep possession.

Charlie Penny came on for Hudson with fifteen minutes remaining to try and give Welling some fresh impetus but it was the visitors who kept up the pressure and claimed an 82nd minute equaliser.

Although McMahon's corner was well cleared by Buchel in a busy six yard box, Cook was on hand to drill home from the edge of the penalty area.

Cook came close with a free kick that curled just over then Bricknell headed wide before the 90 minutes was completed.

For the first time in the match, Welling controlled a spell and were the better team throughout the first half of extra time.

Jamal Fyfield flicked on a Corne corner and St. Aimie's first time shot came back off Brandon Hall's legs.

Marsh then had a shot brilliantly saved by Hall before the game entered its final fifteen minutes.

Acheampong's foul on Bassele earned him a second yellow card but Bush blasted the free kick wide.

Bassele thought he had scored the all important third Welling goal when he burst through but his low shot was just wide of the far post.

Instead it was Ebbsfleet who claimed the spoils when McMahon broke away and crossed for Godden to finish.

Welling United: Buchel, Williams, Bush, Gallagher, Fagan, Fyfield, St Aimie, Corne, Marsh, Bassele, Hudson (Penny 75). Unused substitutes: Johnson, Kempton, Birch, Plummer.

Ebbsfleet United: Hall, Huke, Howe, Rance (Bricknell 28), Acheampong, Clark, Johnson, McMahon, Osborn (Cook 70), Godden, Kiernan (Miller-Neave 105). Unused substitutes: Hughes, Shields.