Although they extended their unbeaten, Welling United will be rueing conceding a late equaliser at Cheshunt.

On Saturday they dropped two points when Dartford equalised with seven minutes remaining and they conceded even later on a very cold night in Hertfordshire. It was the fourth minute of stoppage time by the time that Cheshunt levelled. Although their defence deserved full reward for their efforts, the team as a whole didn’t do enough to drive home their advantage.

There was very little action to warm the supporters of either side in a very uneventful first half. Stefan Payne shot wide for the Wings early on. At the other end, Taylor McKenzie failed to hit the target with a header when getting on the end of an Isaac Pitblado long throw and Tyrelle Newton’s ambitious effort flew well over.

Alfie Cue headed wide for the Ambers before the two teams headed back for the warmth of the changing rooms.

Five minutes after the interval, Welling went ahead. George Alexander sent Azeez away and Preston Edwards came rushing out. Although the Cheshunt goalkeeper got there first, his hurried attempt to clear struck Azeez and rebounded back into the empty net. That was his fifteenth goal of the season, and his most unusual.

Ken Charles rushed a shot for Cheshunt, and pulled it wide but the second period continued as the first half had been with the hosts enjoying more of the territorial advantage, but lacking the creativity to open up the Welling defence.

Dylan Gavin replaced Alexander and shot well off target and Azeez had a header saved comfortably from a Kyrell Lisbie corner before Myles Roberts was called upon to make his first real save of the night, thwarting Joe Re.

Lisbie had a shot held by Edwards before Roberts made another good save when tipping over a shot by Fraser Alexander. 

Two minutes into injury time, Welling were punished. Payne hauled Lewis Hobbs to the ground as a corner was delivered and the referee, who was a few feet away, had no option but to award a penalty. A lot of jostling took place until calm was restored. Reece Beckles-Richards stepped up and sent Roberts the wrong way.

As the Welling players trooped back to the half way line, Payne continued to protest and was shown a second yellow card.

It was tough for Welling to swallow but they have played their first of three consecutive away games and travel to Oxford City on Saturday.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Powell, Dunne, Parry, Sendles-White (Curran 46), Kassarate, Alexander (Gavin 66), Payne, Azeez, Maloney (Lisbie 70). Sub not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Barnes.