On a hard bumpy sloping pitch Welling United claimed a point at Hungerford Town.

Leading into the game, Hungerford had given themselves a great chance of escaping the drop having won three of their last four games when previously looking well adrift of the safety zone. They have lost just one home league match at home since the end of October. However, it was Welling’s third game without scoring in their last four.

They were by far the better team in the first half, and probably shaded the second period, but it was the hosts who had the best clear cut opportunities.

Crusaders’ centre-back Matt Berry-Hargreaves escaped with a yellow card early on when he man-handled George Alexander after the two tangled, before he thwarted Christie Pattisson with a block as the Wings player looked to open his account in his second spell with the club.

Alexander then met Pattisson’s cross with a header that was saved comfortably by Jed Ward before Pattisson miscued wide at the end of a Welling slick passing move. Chi Ezennolim was unable to keep the ball from running away down the hill when he burst through and Pattisson was again off target when Stefan Payne and James Dunne combined to give him an opportunity.

Ezennolim’s cross found Alexander whose shot was deflected sending Ward the wrong way but it rolled wide of the far post.

As half time approached, the hosts had their first real opening when Dylan Adjei-Hersey cut in from the left and curled it round the far post with Welling goalkeeper Myles Roberts struggling to get across.

After the interval, with Hungerford kicking down the hill, Jed Ward launched a long clearance behind the defence for Christie Ward to chase but his shot drew a good save out of Roberts. Ezennolim then crossed deep for Pattisson whose volley into the ground looped up but into the side netting.

James Dunne, still searching for his first goal in a Welling shirt, had a shot deflected wide before Hungerford debutant Great Evans shot wide at the other end.

Pattisson’s participation ended when he limped off holding his hamstring and Rob Howard also had to be replaced when he went down with a back strain.

Roberts made a brilliant save from Christie Ward before Adjei-Hersey fired over from an excellent position after Joel Rollinson laid it into his path.

Having used their quota of substitutes, Welling were further hampered by an injury to Medy Elito. He remained on the pitch but was no more than nuisance value. Despite that. Welling still finished the stronger. One of their substitutes, Anthony Papadopoulos, chased down a back pass to goalkeeper Ward and blocked his clearance. It could have rebounded anywhere but drifted wide of the post.

Papadopoulos had one last effort deep into stoppage time but could not hit the target.

Although Amadou Kassarate will be available to return, Welling manager Warren Feeney may be without his three players injured at Hungerford when Welling visit Farnborough on Tuesday.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard (Cox 74), Ezennolim, Dunne, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Pattisson (Maloney 66), Payne, Azeez, Alexander (Papadopoulos 80), Elito. Sub not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Parry.