HAVING been passed off the pitch in the first half, Welling United’s improved second half performance saw them miss a penalty and then take the lead before being forced to settle for a point.

Nobody would have guessed what would follow when a bright start saw Welling win three corners in quick succession.

Visitors, Sutton United, then went ahead from their first meaningful foray of the match when Harry Beautyman sneaked in at the far post to slot the ball home from a deep cross.

Goalkeeper Sam Mott had to be sharp to claim from Kezie Ibe who had been put through by Nick McCoy as Sutton’s passing game had Welling chasing shadows.

Mott had to be alert again to make a block challenge as Bautyman and Ibe combined to good effect.

Against the run of play, Joe Healy found Theo Fairweather-Johnson but feeding on a clever ball in, Kiernan Hughes-Mason was unable to find the target with his first time effort.

Paul Telfer side footed wide at the far post from a corner after Mott had tipped over an awkward Ibe cross then Beautyman headed another deep cross wide of the post.

Tom Kavanagh broke through and saw his sizzling shot tipped over as Sutton attempted to capitalise on their superiority.

On the stroke of half time Jamie Stuart slapped Ben Martin needlessly, and had referee David Rock had a clear view the Sutton veteran might have found himself in serious bother.

Jamie Day and his management team’s half time talk, along with some changes to the formation including a positional swap between Loui Fazakerley and Fraser Franks, paid dividends as Welling looked sharper in the second half.

Almost immediately, Hughes-Mason stabbed wide after making a chance for himself then Healy’s pin point cross was headed home by Anthony Acheampong, only to see the ‘goal’ chalked off for offside.

Kavanagh shot across the goal and Craig Dundas, who gave the Wings’ centre halves a good working over, saw a shot blocked away by Healy as he collected a fine pass from Sam Rents.

Two penalties in three minutes gave Welling the opportunity to turn the match on its head.

Hughes-Mason was brought down by former Wing Anthony Riviere and Healy converted confidently before substitute Jon Main was felled by Sutton custodian Kevin Scriven.

Having been cautioned for his indiscretion, the U’s goalkeeper atoned by guessing correctly to save Harry Baker’s spot kick.

Scriven then followed up by making a fine save from Fairweather-Johnson before Mott did likewise from Rents.

Main showed his pedigree with fifteen minutes remaining as he burst through before finishing emphatically.

Paul Doswell, Sutton’s manager, then made a double substitution which was rewarded when the two replacements combined to level the scores as Kyle Vassell converted Craig Watkins’ cross.

Watkins had a shot blocked by Martin and Jack Obersteller thwarted Beautyman as Sutton looked to turn one point into three but when Stuart headed Beautyman’s free kick over, their last chance went.

Welling United: Mott, Fazakerley (Kinch 86), Jack Obersteller, Franks, Martin, Acheampong, Hughes-Mason (Main 61), Clarke, Baker, Fairweather-Johnson (Hudson 88), Healy. Unused substitutes Turner, Joe Obersteller.