By Matthew Panting

Two tremendous one-handed saves, one at the start and one at the end of the game, denied Welling an opening day Blue Square Bet South victory on Saturday.

Welling nearly got off to a dream start inside the first minute against relegated-Bath when Jack Obersteller exchanged passes with Harry Baker and delivered a perfect cross for Ross Lafayette to volley at goal, only for Glyn Garner to produce a magnificent stop at the near post.

Bath scored with virtually their first attack when former Gills player Aaron Brown, playing left-back in a five-man defence, burst forward and hit a shot from 30 yards that debut keeper Sam Mott could only parry into his own net.

Welling enjoyed plenty of possession thereafter but, shots by Baker and Theo Fairweather-Johnson apart, they failed to test the visiting defence.

The home side, without the suspended Jamie Day, deservedly drew level 12 minutes into the second half when Luis Cumbers (pictured) set up Lafayette to score from close range.

Despite losing Loui Fazakerley to injury, Welling looked the only team likely to win the game late on with susbtitute Jon Main looking dangerous.

They could have easily snatched the points in the 90th minute but Garner was on top form to deny Scott Kinch's header after substitute Ben Martin nodded across Joe Healy's deep cross.

Welling travel to Chelmsford on Monday night.