In a role reversal of last season’s corresponding Vanarama National League South meeting at Park View Road, Welling United led two-nil against Tonbridge Wells before having to settle for a point.

Games between the two clubs tend to be tight encounters and a two goal half time lead for the Wings was never likely to be sufficient. In February, a strike by Jason Adigun and an injury time goal by Sonny Fish saved a point but this time it was the Angels who completed the come-back.

Having started quickly, Welling opened the scoring in the eleventh minute when Sam Cornish found Alex Lankshear with a corner, and the Blackpool loanee headed home his second goal in three games.

Chiori Johnson had a shot saved well saved by Matthew Rowley at the expense of a corner and another pinpoint Cornish delivery picked out Jack Burchell whose header was cleared off the line by Charlie Pegrum as Welling hunted for a second.

Makise Evans broke free on a counter attack and looked sure to level when Rhys Lovett slipped as he came out to meet him however, all of the goalkeeping training drills with coach Jim Stannard paid off when he was quickly back to his feet to make the block. It came back out to Sean Shields but his first time shot went wide.

Moments later, Welling added a second which was not dissimilar to the one scored by Fish in February. Johnson drilled in a low cross and Josh Redfearn showed his predatory instincts with a clinical finish.

Maxwell Statham came close with a shot just beyond the post before the remainder of the first period turned into a midfield battle.

Former Wings, Taylor Maloney and Crossley Lema, were introduced by Tonbridge manager Jay Saunders for the start of the second period and the change of shape, combined with playing down the slope, helped them to have a greater share of possession. Maloney came close to pulling one back when his diagonal cross went past everyone and came back out off the far post.

However, other than that, Welling’s defence dealt with everything thrown at them and they might have gone further ahead when Burchell got on the end of a flicked on Cornish free kick and side footed inches wide of the far post.

On the hour mark the Angels pulled one back when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Liam Vincent took aim and fired low into the bottom corner.

Ronny Nelson headed wide from a Maloney free kick but the Welling defence continued to look strong until the match entered the last ten minutes. A cross into the penalty area looked to be going out harmlessly but the referee spotted Garrett Kelly pulling Jeremy Santos back. A penalty was awarded and Kelly was dismissed before Vincent struck home from the spot.

Lovett was called into saving from Evans and Pegrum shot over from the rebound but neither side created a further opening and a point apiece was probably a fair result.

Welling United: Lovett, Statham, Lankshear, Cornish (Grant 86), Winfield, Burchell, Johnson, Kelly, Redfearn (Chukwu 77), Kennedy (Wells 90+6), Osew. Sub not used: Long, Perkins.