FOLLOWING Saturday’s comeback from two goals behind at Newport County, Welling United again found them twice having to claw back leads at Hampton and Richmond Borough .

On a lumpy muddy pitch Welling had the better of the early exchanges with Sam Hurrell tormenting right back Chris Robinson.

First he got free but his cross hit Tommy Whitnell and rebounded away to safety, and then a long mazy run allowed him a shot that flew just over the crossbar.

Welling were given a warning when a long hoof forward evaded Welling’s defence allowing Lawrence Yaku a free run at goal but he failed to make the most of the opportunity and shot wide.

The let-off was short lived as from a corner Dean Inman had the freedom of the penalty area to head Hampton ahead unopposed.

Good work from Lee Clarke allowed Whitnell a shooting opportunity but his effort was saved by Matt Lovett.

Whitnell came closer soon afterwards when his shot was cleared off the line by Nathan Collier.

Barrie Matthews was cautioned for an ugly tackle on Loui Fazakerley but Jamie Day’s free kick was caught comfortably by Lovett.

Clarke was then booked, somewhat harshly, as the referee evened up the yellow card count and another Day free kick was punched off Clarke’s head by Lovett as the Wings strove for a first half leveller.

At the start of the second half Mitten made a fine save from Yaku as Welling gifted their hosts another free header inside their penalty area.

In the 52nd minute Welling equalised.

A great through ball by Clarke put Whitnell free on goal and he duly converted placing the ball between Lovett’s legs.

This was Whitnell’s fifth goal in four games.

Andy Pugh then dispossessed Robinson and cut in before chipping the ball just behind the on-rushing Clarke.

Mitten was called into action again saving well from Craig Dundas although there was a suspicion of hand ball in the build up.

Fazakerley shot just wide after making the chance for himself before Hampton regained the lead in the 76th minute.

Collier caught Clarke in possession and strode through before finishing clinically.

Jack Obersteller was yellow carded for a rash challenge after a number of Hampton agricultural tackles had been allowed to go unpunished.

The worst of these was what appeared to be a pre-meditated late assault on the otherwise unstoppable Hurrell right in front of the assistant referee that did not even result in a free kick.

Several Welling players were dismayed by the failure of the officials to act upon this.

Michale Bakare and Tony Finn came on for Fazakerley and Hurrell as Welling searched for another equaliser and Finn was instrumental in gaining it.

His brilliant 83rd minute turn and cross was chested down cleverly by Whitnell for Obersteller who fired into the bottom corner for his first Welling goal.

Both teams looked for a winner but the defences held tight and the match finished with the honours even.

Welling United: Mitten, Sambrook, Obersteller, Day, Andrews, Parkinson, Fazakerley (Bakare 81), Clarke, Whitnell, Pugh, Hurrell (Finn 81). Subs not used: Cutler, Deane, Cracknell.