Following the relentless recent rain that made the pitch boggy in areas, two teams in good current form, Welling United and Braintree Town, put on a competitive display at the J. Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium.

Coming into the match, the visitors had won their last seven games, conceding just two goals, in a run of eight wins and a draw while Welling had gone seven league matches unbeaten.

There would not have been a match had it not been for Head Groundsman Jamie Honeyman and his band of volunteer supporters who had worked tirelessly during the morning.

Games have been coming thick and fast for the Wings, so manager Rod Stringer rested centre-back Joe Ellul and he replaced him with new signing Riccardo Di Trolio. However, he was able to recall his captain and midfield general, Anthony Grant, who had served his one match ban.

Having had to defend for the first few exchanges, Welling went ahead in the tenth minute. Cameron Green was involved in the build up before Sonny Fish’s low cross was tucked away by Jack Burchell.

Tom Blackwell had a chance for the visitors, but his header was held by Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook. However, the Iron levelled seven minutes before the break. Jayden Davis picked out Shaquille Coulthirst and although Charles-Cook did well to keep out his header, Aaron Blair followed up to head home.

Seven minutes later, Welling went back ahead. A shot from Crossley Lema hit the arm of Dominic Odusanya, who has just signed for Braintree from the Wings, in the penalty area. Reece Grant took the responsibility and slotted home.

They held their lead for just four minutes before the Iron levelled with virtually the last kick of the first half. This time it was the visitors who were awarded a spot kick for what was deemed to be handball by Lachlan Byrd. Coulthirst stepped up and converted.

Another quick Braintree start to a half saw them win a succession of corners, but other than a header by Joseph Grimwood that went wide, they created nothing and Welling posed more of a threat when they attacked.

Reece Grant sent Fish away down the left but Braintree goalkeeper Jack Sims got down well to make a good save before substitute Gene Kennedy hit a shot narrowly wide just after coming on.

Ben Tompkins flicked a header wide from Blackwell’s free kick for the visitors but it was their goalkeeper, Sims, who continued to be the busier and he was called upon to make a diving save when Green sent Anthony Grant through and he shot first time.

Once more, Sims came to Braintree’s rescue with five minutes remaining when a shot by Fish was deflected into the path of Di Trolio and the former Welling goalkeeper was again airborne to keep out his drive.

Although Stringer was disappointed to drop two points, they still moved a point closer to their target ahead of three games on the road.

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Burchell, Di Trolio, Byrd, Adigun (Foyo 82), A. Grant, Fish (Holness 88), R. Grant (Kennedy 66), Papadopoulos. Sub not used: Ellul, Krabbendam.