Welling United came from two goals down to secure a vital point against Tonbridge Angels on Saturday afternoon as Sonny Fish’s injury-time leveller forced a share of the spoils.
The hosts found themselves at a two-goal disadvantage going into half-time, but an excellent second-half showing saw Jason Adigun reduce the arrears, before Fish popped up at the death to earn a deserved point.
The Wings made a bright enough start and enjoyed plenty of possession in the early exchanges without creating anything clear cut.
But they would be punished for their own sloppiness in the 27th minute when Tonbridge took the lead.
New arrival Gene Kennedy was caught short on the ball 30 yards from goal, turning over possession to the visitors as Nathan Odokonyero was played through and fired into the bottom left-hand corner.
Welling came so close to a leveller five minutes before the break when Joe Ellul’s goal-bound header had keeper Jonathan Henly all ends up, but a blue shirt was on hand to desperately nod it off the line.
Tonbridge sub Francis Mampolo spurned a golden opportunity to double his side’s lead when he volleyed well over from close range, but it would not be long before the Angels did have their second just before half time.
Sean Shields’ initial shot from range forced Reice Charles-Cook into a smart save, but Odokonyero reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to stick away his second from close range and give the hosts a uphill struggle going into the second period.
Welling came out strong in the second half as they pushed to find a way back into the game.
Jason Adigun’s stunning volley crashed down off the crossbar early after the restart, although the referee had blown for a Wings free-kick without playing advantage just as the midfielder pulled the trigger.
From the resulting free-kick, Antony Papadopoulos fired just wide, but Welling would give themselves some hope with 22 minutes remaining when Charlton loanee Adigun opened his account in style, firing into the top corner from 20 yards.
Welling continued to pile on the pressure as they tried to break down the Angels’ resilient defence and, finally in the second minute of injury time, they broke their opponents resolve to claim the point their efforts deserved.
A cross from the right into a crowded box found the out-stretched leg of Fish, who diverted it past the keeper and into the net from close range to spark celebrations both on the pitch and on the terraces.
The late goal ensures that the Wings extend their unbeaten league run to four games and they will now prepare for their next test which comes in the form of the visit of Worthing to DA16 on Tuesday evening.
Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Byrd, Ellul (Wood 62), Burchell (Holnesss 85), Green, A Grant, Adigun, Kennedy, Papadopoulos (R Grant 52), Fish.
Subs (not used): Krabbendam, Johnson.
Booked: Kennedy 81 (foul)
Goals: Adigun 68, Fish 90+2
Tonbridge Angels: Henly, Fielding (Mampolo 20), Lyons-Foster, Gard (Hanson 78), Higgs, Odokonyero (Greenidge 87), Hinds, Vinent, Wagstaff, Shields, Sutcliffe.
Subs (not used):, Aransibia, Dabre.
Booked: Vincent 58 (foul on Lema), Mampolo 74 (foul on Wood), Henly 81 (dissent)
Goals: Odokonyero 27, 44
Referee: Robert Ablitt
Attendance: 570
