FOLLOWING the news that Welling United supporters had clubbed together to loan the club enough to clear their debt to the HMRC, the players showed determination and grit to come away from Kenilworth Road with a goal-less draw.

Although Luton Town made nine changes from the team knocked out of the FA Cup by Charlton Athletic three days earlier all their players had first team Blue Square Bet experience.

Hatters manager Richard Money felt he had picked a team good enough to beat a team from a league below them.

Meanwhile Welling United manager Jamie Day was unable to pick either himself or Joe Healy as both were suspended.

Therefore he had to select striker Andy Pugh, clearly still not fit, while Andy Sambrook, who had not played since the end of September, was also called back into action.

Taiwo Atieno, who was guilty of missing a host of opportunities through the ninety minutes, had the first chance of the game but lifted Craig Hinton’s long ball well over.

Atieno did manager to get his next effort on target but his header was easily claimed by Gareth Stewart.

Jason Walker had a header deflected wide before Welling’s first chance fell to Jack Parkinson but he scuffed his shot well wide.

After a Parkinson free-kick was headed away by Atieno, Walker broke quickly but lost control just as he had made a shooting opportunity.

Godfrey Poku was the next Luton player to fashion a chance but his wayward shot caused Welling no threat.

Loui Fazakerley’s free-kick was deflected narrowly wide before Jamie Coyle headed a cross over Atieno has he looked to close in.

Pugh hit a shot well wide before Atieno received ironic cheers from Luton’s supporters for managing to get an effort on target.

His response to that was making a rather needless hand gesture to the Welling supporters as he left the field at half-time.

Stewart made a spectacular save early in the second half to save Sambrook from an own goal before Graeme Andrews made a great tackle to thwart Dan Walker.

Fazakerley had a cross claimed superbly by Mark Tyler and from his quick throw out Dan Walker broke away, cut in, but then shot wide.

Dan Walker then fed Atieno but he shot well over.

Further chances came Atieno’s way but when clean through, he stabbed the ball wide of Stewart, but wide of the goal and then he waltzed through the defence before again shooting beyond the far post.

Pugh was replaced by Jordon Johnson in the 79th minute as Welling reverted to 4-4-2 with Jack Obersteller dropping back to his normal left back position leaving Luis Cumbers and Loick Pires up front.

Luton did get the ball in the net moments later but Dan Walker’s fine finish was disallowed for offside.

Stewart made another outstanding save when pushing an Alex Lawless onto the post and out.

The only corner of the second half went Welling’s way when Parkinson’s effort from Fazakerley’s free-kick was blocked, and although Tyler flapped at Obersteller’s delivery, Luton cleared the danger.

Jake Howells saw his free-kick easily saved before Welling played out the final minutes with only a last minute free-kick causing any further concern.

On Tuesday evening the two teams meet again at Park View Road to settle this FA Trophy tie at 7.45pm.

Welling United: Stewart, Coyle, Obersteller, Sambrook, Andrews, Parkinson, Fazakerley, Clarke, Cumbers, Pugh (Jordon 79), Pires. Unused substitutes Obamwonyi, Farrell, Wall, Acheampong.