Welling United shared the spoils with Chippenham Town from a 1-1 draw at Park View Road at Park View Road on Saturday.
Kodi Lyons-Foster’s first goal for the Wings 12 minutes from time cancelled out the Bluebirds’ second-half opener on a scrappy and windy afternoon in which the home side had the better of the balance of play, but missed opportunities meant that they would have to settle for a solitary point.
Both sides forced their opponents’ goalkeepers into saves early on with Myles Roberts getting down well to keep out Owen Winsor’s effort, while the returning Stefan Payne turned well on the edge of the box before firing towards the bottom left-hand corner, denied by the dive of Will Henry.
Henry would again deny Welling with an even better save at his near post, batting away Ade Azeez’s effort from relatively-close range.
The Wings got on the front foot as the half progressed and came closer still in the 21st minute when Payne eyed up a shot from distance, hitting the base of the left-hand post from 22 yards.
It was the home side who were looking the more likely as more first-half opportunities came and went. Just after the half-hour mark, a last-ditch block denied Azeez before falling to James Dunne in a great position, but the skipper could only slam wide.
Another well-worked move saw George Alexander do brilliantly on the halfway line to beat his man before scooping a pass over the top for Azeez to bare down on goal, only for the striker to be denied by another last-ditch challenge.
The Wings continued to push after the break and had a big penalty shout turned down in the 54th minute when Payne received a push in the back as he won his header in the box, only for the referee to wave the appeals away.
Roberts had his palms stung on the hour mark as the Bluebirds tried their luck from distance with Luke Russe’s 25-yard, dipping volley heading for the bottom corner, but the Wings’ custodian was able to get across to make a solid save.
Moments later, however, the visitors would go ahead against the run of play.
An initial shot was parried away by Roberts, by only as far as Alex Bray, who was on hand to plunder the rebound and put Chippenham in front.
Welling went in search of a leveller as Azeez saw a decent effort saved from the edge of the box and it was not long before parity was restored with 12 minutes left on the clock.
With the Wings threatening on the left of the box, the ball was stood up to the back post where Lyons-Foster was able to stab home from close range to draw level.
There would be one more half-chance to claim the points when Alexander hoped to capitalise on a poor goal-kick, but after baring down on the box, he saw his shot well blocked.
With another point in the bag, Warren Feeney’s men will now go again at home on Tuesday evening, with Hemel Hempstead Town making the journey to Park View Road.
Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Ezennolim, Dunne, Kassarate (Pattisson 63), Elito, Payne, Alexander, Azeez.
Subs (not used): McKenzie-Lyle, Barnes, Parry, Lisbie.
Booked: Payne 18 (foul on Simpson), Kassarate 27 (foul on Tizzard), Howard 35 (foul on Bray)
Goal: Lyons-Foster 78
Chippenham Town: Henry, Hamilton, Richards, Mehew, Fasanmade, Bray (D’Abadia 82), Winsor, Tizzard, Bradbury, Russe, King (Simpson 6).
Subs (not used): McClure, Hanks, Parker.
Booked: Winsor 89 (foul), Fasanmade 90+4 (kicking the ball away)
Goal: Bray 62
Referee: Neil Pratt
Att: 561
