Following their hard earned victory over Lincoln City on Tuesday, Welling United’s work-rate and determination earned them another point at Barrow.

Crosses aimed at Andy Cook appeared to be Barrow’s main method of attack, and the striker who is already in double figures for the season had two early chances.

Early on, he headed wide from Andy Haworth’s cross before another header tested Tom King for the first time.

Cook was then brought down by Harry Osborne on the edge of the area, earning him a yellow card,  but Welling escaped when Dan Pilkington’s chipped free kick came back off the crossbar.

Xavier Vidal and Ricky Wellard had half chances for Welling however Ashley Grimes soon fired over again for the hosts.

Haworth met a deep diagonal ball on the volley but shot over when well placed.

This proved costly, however, Welling went ahead in the 40^th minute. Sahr Kabba turned Danny Livesey. Although his shot was saved by by Joel Dixon, it came out, struck Steve Williams, and flew back into the net.

Kabba might have punished shell-shocked Barrow further moments later, but shot over after accepting a great pass from Reece Harris.

Williams tried to atone just before the break but shot over.

Kevin Lokko replaced Osborne at the break but 12 minutes into the second half, Barrow levelled. Pilkington’s deep cross found Cook, and the Bluebirds’ striker made no mistake heading home from close range.

Afolabi Obafemi replaced Kabba as Welling looked to change things up front and Wellard tried his luck but failed to find the power needed to test Dixon.

While Welling played some tidy football, Barrow’s more direct football caused problems.

Cook netted when offside having run on to substitute Jason Walker’s flick on from a deep ball.

He then had an effort saved by King before hitting the post from another Pilkington cross.

As the game headed to a close, Welling searched for a late winner and Dixon had to be out quickly to thwart Harris who had sprung the offside trap then Harry Lee’s low shot flashed wide.

Walker had a late effort saved by Welling as the two teams had to settle for a draw.

Coach Paul Barnes felt it was a point won rather than two points lost. “Not many teams take much away from here. They have new owners who have put in a lot of money and have signed players for good money.”

Although disappointed to concede again just after half time, he was satisfied that they didn’t buckle.  “If we’d conceded that goal earlier in the season, we’d have lost.”

 

Barrow: Dixon, Williams (G), Ashton, Livesey, Williams , Cowperthwaite, Mellor (Harvey 67), Haworth (Newby 88), Grimes (Walker 60), Cook, Pilkington.

Unused substitutes: Grand, Fofana.

 

Welling United: King, Nortey, Jefford, Lee, Chambers, Osborne (Lokko 46),Vidal, Corne, Kabba (Obafemi 62), Wellard, Harris.

Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Williams, Semedo.

 

Referee: T. Nield

Assistants: D. Carratt and I Johnston

4^th Official: W. Smith

 

Welling star man: Harry Lee

Attendance: 1.327

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.