Despite being reduced to ten men within the first fifteen minutes, Welling United left Alfreton Town disappointed in only claiming one point.
As a result, they go into the final game of the season not guaranteed to be safe. However, Alfreton will need to record a better result away to title chasing Bristol Rovers than Welling gain at home to Southport.
Manager Loui Fazakerley admitted he had mixed emotions. “I am disappointed. We should have won the game but I’m massively proud of the team and the effort they put in.”
His team came out flying. Dominic Vose had Welling’s first attempt but fired well over. However, his second attempt was only thwarted by a desperate deflection after Kieron St. Aimie had laid off his through ball
It was against the run of play when when Alfreton went ahead. Harry Osborne slid to block a shot and it hit his arm. Referee Lee Swabey awarded a penalty, that Dan Bradley converted, and sent off the young defender. Fazakerley had no argument with the decisions “It was a clear handball and a goalscoring opportunity.”
Karl Hawley had a shot saved by Michael McEntegart and Tom Shaw shot over as the hosts tried to make the most of their numerical advantage.
Hawley then crossed from the bye-line but John Johnston was unable to finish.
As half time approached, Welling levelled through a fine flowing move. Sam Corne found Jake Gallagher and his clever hook forward put Ross Lafayette clear. The Luton loanee chested down into an area that made it possible for him to round Flynn and finish with a side footer.
At the break, Fazakerley replaced St. Aimie with Sam Berry as he looked to change their shape.
Berry was involved immediately when he found Gallagher and the Wings skipper cushioned a pass into the path of Vose. The attacking midfielder struck a fierce drive that Flynn did well to turn away at full stretch.
Corne was off target with an effort then Vose almost caught Flynn out at the near post before the Wings went ahead.
Once again, Berry made his presence felt when leaping to head Vose’s corner back across goal for Chris Bush to finish at the far post.
Nicky Laws made two changes and each substitute had an opportunity. James Phillips fired over with his before Alfreton equalised through Massiah McDonald who scored from close range.
Shaw had a shot save comfortably before McEntegart did well to turn over a Phillips shot.
Wings’ supporters might have expected an onslaught as the hosts knew anything other than a win was unlikely to be enough however all the latter chances were created by Welling.
Gallagher sent Lafayette free but Flynn came out quickly to save. Jefford then got free down the left hand channel but fired across the face of goal.
Finally, Gallagher was sent clear but, once again, Flynn came out to save well.
Alfreton Town: Flynn, Rowe-Turner, Graham (Phillips 58), Courtney, Shaw, Bradley, Ironside (McDonald 67), Hawley, Heaton, Howe, Johnston (Speight 81).
Unused substitutes: Howell, Leesley.
Welling United: McEntegart, Williams, Jefford, Osborne, Chambers, Bush, Gallagher, Corne (Fagan 86), St. Aimie (Berry 46), Lafayette, Vose (Healy 77).
Unused substitutes: Henly, Akinde.
Referee: Lee Swabey
Assistants: Neil Pratt & Ben Cooke
4th Official: Sean Feerick
Welling star man: Jake Gallagher
Attendance: 1,593
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.