Welling United 2 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville

WELLING dropped two points as they missed out on the chance to reclaim second place in Nationwide Conference South on Tuesday night.

After a slow start, which saw them concede within three minutes, the Wings had turned the game around to go in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

But Havant, who came into the game on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, levelled midway through the second half to claim a share of the spoils.

Havant started brightly and Jamie Turner had to push aside Brett Poate's 25-yard drive. However, the keeper stood motionless from Poate's resulting corner and Carl Wilson-Denis nodded in from close range.

Poate again went close as Havant piled on the pressure but one moment of madness from visiting keeper Colin Matthews turned the game on its head in the 28th minute.

Welling striker Danny Kedwell chased a lost cause and as he went in for a 50/50 after Matthews spilled the ball, the keeper tripped the striker over. Kedwell picked himself up and sent Matthews the wrong way from the penalty spot for his 11th goal of the season.

Welling found their confidence again and were in front after 38 minutes when Matt Carruthers found the unmarked Adrian Clarke, who marked his return to the starting line-up with a crisp low drive beyond Matthews.

The Wings wasted two glorious openings to extend their lead after the break, Chris Moore volleying wide before Kedwell hit the post from close range after Carruthers' shot was only parried.

They paid the price by conceding from another corner on 68 minutes when Luke Byles turned the ball home.

Welling could have won the game three minutes into stoppage time but Moore shot wide again after Clarke's corner caused panic in the home defence.

Among the crowd was Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson, checking on the progress of on-loan right-back Luke Howell, who was named man of the match for an impressive display for the Wings.

Welling boss Adrian Pennock said: "I thought it was a better performance than on Saturday so I'm pleased with that and we were the better side in the second half.

"But we conceded two goals from corners and with a side containing so many players over six-foot that is not acceptable."

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