Welling United shared the points with Dartford on derby day as the visitors came from behind twice to deny the hosts victory at Park View Road on Saturday.
The Wings controlled large parts of the game and took the lead through George Alexander’s debut strike, before being pegged back by a Dartford equaliser just after the break.
Ade Azeez got the hosts’ noses back in front shortly after as Welling continued to look the more likely, but Malachi Napa’s 83rd-minute goal meant that they were forced to share the spoils with their local rivals.
The Wings made a bright start in front of a packed crowd in DA16, getting on the front foot early on.
Kodi Lyons-Foster’s header from a corner delivery was well saved by Dan Wills, before Taylor Maloney’s effort from distance was smothered.
And Medy Elito came close to an opener on 17 minutes when he dragged a shot across the face of goal which was hacked off the line by a white shirt.
Welling’s pressure continued past the half-hour mark and they came closer still when Ade Azeez headed agonisingly off the post from Aaron Powell’s cross.
The Wings were deserving of a goal for their first-half efforts and they got just that late in the first half.
With 43 minutes on the clock, Maloney’s corner was headed back across goal by Stefan Payne and debutant Alexandra was on hand to adjust brilliantly to send an overhead kick low into the back of the net from close range to send the home crowd into raptures.
The hosts lost their advantage early after the re-start, however, with the Darts helping themselves to a 53rd-minute leveller.
Kodi Lyons-Foster made a brilliant block in the box to deny an initial effort, but the ball fell to Charlie Sheringham, who gobbled up the rebound to make it one apiece.
Warren Feeney’s men needed to respond in the right way and they did just that, regaining their lead just six minutes later.
Azeez beat the offside trap to race through on goal, taking his shot early and sending a powerful strike off the underside of the bar and just over the line.
After a moment of hesitation, the linesman waved the signal it had crossed the line and Welling were back in front.
The hosts appeared to be in control and dictated the pace of proceedings, but they allowed Dartford a way back all-too easily via a rare second-half opportunity for the visitors with seven minutes left.
A simple ball into the box allowed sub Napa far too much room to pick his spot and stroke a shot into the net to level matters for a second time.
That gave Dartford a lift, finishing the stronger and came close to a winner but for Myles Roberts’ brilliant save to deny Napa in injury time.
On the balance of play, it may well feel like two points dropped for Feeney’s men, who now head to Cheshunt for a midweek clash on Tuesday.
Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Lyons-Foster, Sendles-White, Powell, Dunne, Maloney, Elito, Payne, Alexander (Gavin 69), Azeez (Kassarate 87).
Subs (not used): McKenzie-Lyle, Parry, Lisbie.
Booked: Payne 14 (foul on Bonner), Alexander 65 (foul on Meade), Powell 79 (foul)
Goals: Alexander 42, Azeez 59
Dartford: Wilks, Wynter, Carruthers, Assam, Bonner, Coulson (Fonkeu 78), Loza (Napa 58), Statham, Smith (Allen 71), Sheringham, Meade.
Subs (not used): Campbell, Murtagh.
Goals: Sheringham 53, Napa 83
Booked: Essam 49 (foul on Azeez)
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Att: 1,731
