For the second time in under a fortnight, Welling United conceded a crucial last minute goal in Essex.

When they visited Billericay, they were thwarted by a last minute penalty to come away empty handed then on Saturday, Chelmsford City levelled in the final minute.

Bradley Goldberg put the Wings ahead with six minutes remaining but Shaun Jeffers levelled as the game went into injury time. 

Clear cut chances were at a premium in the first half. Anthony Cook won possession in midfield and  sent Bradley Goldberg away but he was brought down cynically on the edge of the penalty area and Adam Coombes fired the free kick over.

There was a big talking point when Dan Wilks handled outside the penalty area but he was shown a yellow card with the crowd baying for him to be sent off. Sam Higgins took the free kick but drove it straight into the arms of the Welling goalkeeper.

Wilks saved from Higgins before Connor Dymond had to be stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder. Reece Prestedge came on for his Welling debut.

After the interval Jonny Giles fired over before Welling started to make some opportunities. Sanchez Ming went on a long run before finding Coombes in space created by Goldberg’s decoy run. Coombes let fly but Carl Pentney made a great save.

Coombes then got on the end of an excellent Welling move but Pentney was again equal to his low shot.

Once more, Welling cut through the Chelmsford defence when Goldberg found Coombes but his twenty yard effort clattered the crossbar.

Next to get in behind was substitute Aaron Cosgrave but he was also aghast as Pentney made another outstanding save.

Jeffers came on for Chelmsford and created problems immediately. First he shot over, next he had a header tipped over, then he headed on Chris Whelpdale’s cross which clipped the bar on the way over.

Six minutes remained when the deadlock was broken. Nathan Green split Chelmsford’s defence with a perfect pass that put Goldberg away and this time Pentney was powerless to keep out his crisp finish.

However, after Anthony Church’s low shot was no problem for Wilks, Chelmsford levelled. Jeffers’ first effort was blocked but not cleared and he followed up to prod home.

Although it was a disappointment for Welling, it was still a good point ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday fixture with Tonbridge Angels.

Chelmsford City: Pentney, Omozusi, Shaw, Church, Cascaval, Whelpdale, Giles, Higgins (Simpson 74)), Loza (Jeffers 74), Isaac, Muldoon (Knott 57).

Subs not used: Wraight, Osborn.

Goalscorers: Jeffers (90)

Yellow cards: Loza

Red cards: None

Welling United: Wilks, Ming, Anderson, Dymond (Prestedge 45), Swaine, Rich-Baghuelou, Cook (Cosgrave 68), Agyemang, Goldberg, Coombes, McCallum (Green 57).

Subs not used: Okosieme, Oyinson.

Goalscorers: Goldberg (84)

Yellow cards: Wilks, Agyeman, Ming

Red cards: None

Referee: Ed Duckworth

Assistants: Giovanni Marasco and Thomas Cooke

Attendance: 747

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden