DESPITE appearing to have the match under control, Welling United allowed a two-goal lead and a pair of points to slip away at Staines Town.
In fact, things might have been a lot worse as the hosts struck the woodwork after equalising.
Jamie Day returned to the first team line up following his suspension and Joe Healy came back to the starting team following injury.
Theo Fairweather-Johnson, Kurtis Guthrie and Jamie Turner also came in as Welling made five changes from the team that took to the field at Salisbury.
After Jack Mills put a free-kick well wide, Fairweather-Johnson did well to beat Jordaan Brown to a long Turner clearance and cross for Guthrie however a good blocking tackle ensured he did not get his shot away.
A Day corner was headed over by Ben Martin before Staines came close when David Wheeler’s low cross evaded everyone in the penalty area.
Healy stole in at the far post and shot just wide with a first time effort then Guthrie hit a shot that was gathered comfortably by Jack Turner.
After Day had been cautioned, Fairweather-Johnson found Ross Lafayette who turned his marker before seeing his fierce effort come back off the keeper’s legs.
It came as no surprise when Welling went ahead five minutes before the break.
Healy whipped in a delightful cross that Lafayette headed home powerfully.
Five minutes after the break, Welling and Lafayette scored again.
Day’s deep free kick was headed firmly by Martin and finished by another Lafayette header.
Staines responded by making a triple change before the impressive Barney Williams was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Jake Gallagher.
Kiernan Hughes-Mason replaced Fairweather-Johnson as Welling searched for the third goal.
They came close from another Day corner but Anthony Acheampong was adjudged to have fouled his man as he headed down for Guthrie to glance home.
Guthrie came close when under pressure from two defenders he stabbed an effort just wide then he struck a first time effort wide from Lee Clarke’s cross-field pass.
The moment that changed the game came with eleven minutes remaining as Dan Brown turned in Wheeler’s cross and suddenly Welling were under pressure.
They still looked dangerous on the break and Clarke had a great shout for a penalty when body-checked but ended up being booked for stating his disappointment too forcibly.
Staines levelled in the 84th minute through substitute Louis-Rae Beadle as Welling struggled to deal with a succession of corners.
Lafayette then found his way into referee Ryan Atkin’s notebook as he was flattened yet censured for perceived simulation.
Another corner was not cleared properly and Wheeler struck a shot that clattered back off the post.
Wings assistant manager Barry Ashby was shown a red card for remonstrating against another extraordinary decision against Welling before Hughes-Mason’s snapshot went straight into the arms of a grateful Turner.
Risking losing the point they had for the three they wanted, Welling threw players forward and Fraser Franks was adjudged to have stopped a breakaway unfairly and was also booked.
Wings keeper Turner had to be alert to turn the free kick over in the final action of the match.
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Welling United: Turner, Franks, Williams (Gallagher 68), Day, Martin, Acheampong, Fairweather-Johnson (Hughes-Mason 71), Clarke, Guthrie (Reid 90), Lafayette, Healy. Unused substitutes: Mott, Kinch.
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