Thurrock 1 - 1 Welling United

WELLING dropped two more points but moved back into the play-off places by drawing at 10-man Thurrock on Tuesday night.

The Wings looked on course for victory after Danny Kedwell's first-half penalty but were pegged back with 16 minutes left by a goal from Martin Carthy.

Welling boss Adrian Pennock said: "I thought we played well in the first half, we kept the ball well and deserved to be in front. But in the second half we were a different team and I can't put my finger on it. We need the players to be braver."

Welling started brightly but Thurrock had the best chances as Lee Hodges and Carthy both wasted golden openings.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession and were rewarded with a penalty after 27 minutes. Luke Howell's fine burst set up Matt Bodkin, who pulled the ball back for Rob Owen. Home captain Jimmy McFarlane handled on the line and referee Stuart Attwell showed the red card.

Kedwell stepped up from the spot and scored his 15th goal of the season, despite the best efforts of former Wings keeper Glenn Knight.

It should have been 2-0 on 35 minutes but Che Stadhart took too long and allowed Knight to get out in time to deny him from close range.

Stadhart had a near-post header disallowed early in the second half and Owen fizzed a long-range shot over.

The best chance to add a second came on 63 minutes but Bodkin's attempted chip went straight at Knight when it seemed easier to score.

The Wings were always likely to pay for their missed chances and so it proved on 74 minutes when Richard Goddard headed down a deep cross for Carthy to score from close range.

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