Welling United shared a 1-1 draw against the 10 men of Aveley at Parkside Stadium on Friday evening.

Despite being a man up following Josh Anifowose’s first-half red card, the Wings could not take advantage, finding themselves behind with an hour gone, before substitute Elliot Long came to the rescue late on to bag the leveller.

There was little to separate the sides in the opening 45 minutes, although the home side had the better openings with Razzaq Coleman De-Graft dragging wide, while Joel Thompson was denied at the near post by an excellent Chiori Johnson block.

At the other end, former Aveley man Garrett Kelly saw an effort blocked, before the midfielder diverted another effort towards goal which was held by the keeper.

A key moment came with 36 minutes on the clock when Aveley’s Anifowose was shown a straight red car, leaving the hosts down to 10 men.

A clumsy and dangerous challenge saw Anifowose catch Dave Winfield in the head, leaving the Wings skipper bloodied and requiring lengthy treatment, giving the referee no choice but to reach for his top pocket.

Despite having the one-man disadvantage, it was Aveley who took the lead on the hour through David Kawa.

After getting the ball into the box from the right-hand side with some tenacious work, it fell to the Millers’ number nine who finished well.

It would prove bittersweet for the goalscorer, however, as he injured himself in the process of finding the net and was stretchered off after a lengthy break in play.

Welling were struggling to make their extra man count and the hosts very nearly extended their lead with 15 minutes remaining when Ibby Akanbi’s header forced Rhys Lovett into an excellent save.

Shortly after, the Wings spurned a good opportunity when Gene Kennedy dragged an effort wide from a promising position inside the box and, just when it looked  like they would not be able to break down the Essex side’s stubborn defence, they found a way in the 88th minute.

With the ball falling to Long on the edge of the box, he took a touch and sent in a low shot which squeezed inside thee right-hand post, seemingly saving the Wings.

With a mammoth 13 minutes of injury time added, there was still plenty of time for either side to find a winner and it was the visitors who were now looking the more likely.

Anthony Grant’s powerful volley stung the palms of the keeper, while Gene Kennedy’s  glancing header dipped inches wide.

In the end, a point apiece was probably a fair result on a bitterly-cold night in Essex as Welling extend their unbeaten run of games to three.

Rod Stringer’s men can now rest up until December 10th when they return to action in the London  Senior Cup with a trip to Phoenix Sports.

Aveley: Bloedorn, Semkula, Thompson, Giles, Carlyle, Ogunrinde (Aileru 90+6), Anifowose, Kawa (Akanbi 66), D-Graft (Owen 83), Leathers  (Allen 86), Kabongolo.

Subs (not used): Kpakpe.

Booked: Semkula 83  (time wasting)

Sent off: Anifowose 36 (dangerous play)

Goal: Kawa 59

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Statham 56), Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Osew (Grant 86), Wells (Bramble 65), Kelly (Taylor-Crossdale 56), Kennedy, Z Walker  (Long 73), Redfearn.

Booked: Z Walker 50 (foul)

Goal: Long 88

Referee: Chay Hathway

Att: tbc