Frustrated Welling played against 10 men for more than an hour but failed to see off an average Torquay side in National League on Saturday.

Welling got off to a perfect start when Xavier Vidal fired them ahead on eight minutes.

Alofabi Obafemi's right-wing cross was met perfectly by George Porter, who was denied his first Welling after a fantastic save from keeper Fabian Spiess.

But the rebound fell perfectly for Vidal who slammed in the loose ball to give Welling the advantage.

Spiess needed to be alert to deny Obafemi a clear run on goal after a wayward header back by Nathan Smith.

Torquay levelled on 20 minutes when Daniel Butler's free-kick from out wide went straight in.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men with 29 minutes gone. Referee Stephen Ross had no choice but to show Spiess a red card as he handled a long ball over the top outside his area when punching clear might have been the safer option.

Ironically, even with 10 men Torquay had the better chance in the rest of the half as Alex Fisher went clean through and shot wide.

After the break, Kevin Lokko volleyed over from Vidal's free-kick but Welling found chances hard to come by.

Reece Harris worked his way down the line and Obafemi was denied a tap-in by Angus MacDonald's fine clearance.

The biggest controversy came when Ben Jefford clashed with Torquay's James Hurst 20 minutes from time.

Hurst went down in a clear attempt to get Jefford sent-off despite no contact being made with his face.

The fourth official was only five yards away but somehow instructed the referee to book Jefford with no action for Hurst, who was already on a caution.

Ironically Welling were without Sahr Kabba, who was suspended by the FA on Friday night for allegedly doing exactly that.

It needed an outstanding save by keeper Daniel Lavercombe to deny Welling a winner nine minutes from time.

The tireless Porter, still looking for his first Wings goal, created space in the box and sent a right-foot shot curling towards the top corner which Lavercome somehow fingertipped away for a corner.

Welling: McEntegart, Jefford, Osborne (Williams 22mins), Chambers, Porter, Lee (Wellard 57mins), Obafemi, Lokko (Adeyinka 80mins), Corne, Harris, Vidal. Subs not used: King, Taylor.

Torquay: Spiess, Hurst, Butler, MacDonald, Geohaghon, Briscoe, Carmichael, Fisher (Quigley 69mins), Smith, Lavelle-Moore (Lavercombe 30mins), Heslop. Subs not used: Fenwich, Jackson, Odofin.

Attendance: 659.