Charlie Naylor’s late strike ensured that the spoils were shared in the long distance National League South derby between Dover Athletic and Welling United.

Billy Terrell, Dover’s goalkeeper, had to be out quickly early on to make a crunching tackle on Jephte Tanga after he had been played through by Tristan Abrahams before the hosts had a chance when it fell for Sinnkaye Christie but he scuffed his shot wide.

Just after the quarter hour mark, Welling went ahead. Terrell found himself in no mans land and it came out to Kain Adom he lobbed it over the stranded goalkeeper towards the far post and Tanga was stronger than his marker and forced it home.

Archie Hatcher tried to level with a free kick but Welling goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom claimed it comfortably, then another Hatcher free kick picked out Charlie Naylor who was unable to find the target with his header.

Just shy of the hour mark, Welling added a second. Adom sent over a great cross and TJ Bramble rose to volley home,

Nick Dembele fired high and wide for Dover before the first half drew to a close.

After the break, Winterbottom had to get back sharply to turn an overhit cross over his own bar before Welling’s Tristan Abrahams intercepted a sloppy pass out before striding forward and letting fly with a shot that failed to test Terrell.

In the sixth minute of the second half Josh Anifowose put Paris Lock through and he gave Winterbottom no chance when slotting it home.

Zidan Sutherland, the Dover substitute, hit a shot well wide but came much closer with his next effort, a curler that beat Winterbottom all ends up before clattering the crossbar. Anifowose then hit a shot high and wide.

While Dover continued to press, Welling had opportunities on the break however it was the Whites who should have levelled four minutes from time. Winterbottom saved Lock’s shot and it came out to Sutherland who somehow managed to sky it over from three yards out.

Ibra Sekajja, Welling’s debutant substitute, had a chance to finish the contest from Lewis White’s pass but couldn’t keep it down and Dover took full advantage when levelling in the seventh minute of stoppage time. A needless free kick was conceded and it was slung in to a packed penalty area. It fell to Naylor and he fired it home gleefully.

Although it was a point apiece, it was the hosts who were the happier when the final whistle was blown.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Sesay, Young, Christie, Naylor, Lock, Dunne (Powell 81), Dembele (Stewart 87), Anifowose, Hatcher (Sutherland 38). Subs not used: Baptiste, Ojeman.

Goalscorers: Lock (51), Naylor (90+7)

Yellow cards: Sesay, Powell.

Welling United: Winterbottom, Lema, Green, Kassarate (Papadopoulos 61), Byrd, Curran, Tanga (White 65), Odusanya, Abrahams, Bramble, Adom (Sekajja 85). Sub not used: Bayford, Muwonge.

Goalscorers: Tanga (16), Bramble (29)

Yellow cards: Kassarate, Papadopoulos

Referee: Lisa Benn

Assistants: Jake Woodman and Harry Phillips

Attendance: 542

Images courtesy of Dave Budden