Welling bounced back from their Boxing Day trouncing by in-form Dover with a deserved point at home to Torquay on Sunday.

In new manager Jody Brown’s first home game in charge, the Wings more than matched the visitors with a spirited display.

Making three changes from the Dover defeat, Brown introduced Charlie Penny and the fit-again Ben Jefford to the starting line-up with keeper Jon Henly replacing the suspended Benji Buchel.

Torquay nearly made the breakthrough inside 35 seconds but Henly was out smartly to deny Ryan Bowman.

Barney Williams fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box at the other end before Henly had to parry away another Bowman attempt.

Torquay’s Aaron Downes then somehow escaped picking up at least a yellow card – let alone whether it was a red for a professional foul – when he fouled Penny 10 yards inside his own half. Penny would have been clean through but referee Daniel Cook somehow awarded a free-kick and kept his cards in his pocket.

Skipper Jake Gallagher, whose driving runs from midfield caused Torquay problems throughout, fed Penny but his low shot was turned behind before Jamal Fyfield failed to get power with his header from Jefford’s resulting corner.

Torquay’s Durrell Berry picked up a caution after 24 minutes for a dreadful late challenge on Jefford, whose free-kick was then headed over by Aristide Bassele.

Joe Healy twice went close to scoring with left-foot shots before the break as Welling finished the half strongly.

The hosts lost Barney Williams to injury at half-time and Torquay were on top early in the second half. Luke Young’s free-kick was saved before Healy did well to clear off the line from Jordan Chappell and Louis Briscoe’s low cross and then Henly somehow kept out Downes’ close-range header.

Welling regained their composure and, despite their part-time status, finished strongly. Bassele’s long-range shot was pushed away while Penny was also denied by keeper Jordan Seabright, despite the referee deciding to award a goal kick.

Both teams continued to push for the winner but had to settle for a point in the end.

Welling host Dover at Park View Road on New Year’s Day, kick-off 3pm.

Welling: Henly, Fyfield, Gallagher, Fagan, Bush, Penny, Jefford, Bassele (Ouani 90mins), Williams (Corne HT), Hudson (St.Aimie 81mins), Healy. Subs not used: Kiassos, Taylor. Attendance: 808.