Although the draw took Welling United a point closer to getting out of the bottom three, conceding at the death cost them all three at Dover Athletic.

They held a two goal lead at half time for the first time this season but couldn’t hold on and they had to settle for their sixth league draw in seven games.

Danny Bloor included new signing Ibra Sekajja on the bench. Taylor Curran started in place of the injured Jack Burchell and TJ Bramble started ahead of Antony Papadopoulos who took a place on the bench.

Bloor’s team had the first opening when Tristan Abrahams attempted to put Jephte Tanga clear but Dover goalkeeper Billy Terrell was out quickly to clean up. Sinnkaye Christie then had a chance at the other end but scuffed his shot wide.

In the sixteenth minute, Welling went ahead. Kain Adom spotted Terrell off his line and lobbed it towards the far post when Tanga bundled it home. Dover then had a couple of chances from free kicks. Archie Hatcher struck the first cleanly but Ben Winterbottom saved comfortably. Then Hatcher took one from out wide only for Charlie Naylor to miss the target with his header.

Just shy of the hour mark, Welling made it two when Adom crossed and TJ Bramble met it with a controlled volley that gave Terrell no chance.

Nervousness then appeared to take over, and poor passes and missed tackles allowed the hosts to exert some pressure without creating chances and Welling were relieved to get in at half time two goals to the good.

Bloor sent his team out early before the start of the second half but it still didn’t stop the difficulties they seem to have after the restart and six minutes in, they conceded. Paris Lock was allowed to get past the Welling back line from Joshua Anifowose’s through ball and he gave Winterbottom no chance with an accomplished finish.

After hitting a shot well wide, Zidan Sutherland came close to levelling with a shot that shook the crossbar. Bloor responded by replacing Amadou Kassarate with Antony Papadopoulos, then Tanga with Lewis White and the hosts appeared to lose their momentum.

However, they should have levelled in the final five minutes when Winterbottom could only knock a shot into the path of Sutherland, but the Dover player skied it over from inside the six yard box.

Six minutes of stoppage time were awarded but more time was added for time wasting and Welling paid the cost. A free kick needlessly conceded was crossed into a packed penalty area and it fell for Naylor who smashed it home.

Disappointed Welling have a chance to put it right on Saturday when they entertain Slough Town.

Welling United: Winterbottom, Lema, Green, Kassarate (Papadopoulos 61), Byrd, Curran, Tanga (White 65), Odusanya, Abrahams, Bramble, Adom (Sekajja 85). Sub not used: Bayford, Muwonge.