Injury time heartbreak put paid to Welling United extending their winning run when Hampton and Richmond Borough claimed a late, late equaliser.

There was less than half a minute remaining of the five additional minutes when Brendan Kiernan’s shot was deflected out of the reach of Bailey Vose.

Although Welling enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, Shaun Jeffers had the first sight at goal with a shot that went across the face.

However, it was Welling who should have drawn first blood. Jamie Philpot sent Adam Coombes away and as he cut into the box, Charlie Wassmer ran straight into him for a clear-cut penalty. After a long delay, Bradley Goldberg stepped up but fired straight at Seny Dieng who beat it out. Jack Jebb was first to the rebound and he crossed for Goldberg to finish.

As Welling celebrated, the assistant referee raised his flag and, following a conversation, the referee reversed his decision and disallowed it for an offside only spotted by the official.

While Welling had the majority of the possession, Hampton posed a threat on the break and they won a succession of corners with Max Kretzschmar twice trying his luck.

Jeffers had a shot deflected wide but Welling finished the half strongly as Joe Healy had a header saved and Callum Driver fired over.

Two Jebb free kicks then caused trouble. The first one was headed just wide of his own post by Christian Jolley and the second evaded everyone but also the far post.

After the interval Jeffers got in behind but Vose was out quickly to narrow the angle and block with his foot. Jeffers then went for an over-head kick that landed on the roof of the net.

Both Archie Johnson and Healy had to depart with injuries in a four minute spell for Welling. Ben Jefford and Connor Dymond deputised.

If that unsettled Welling, it didn’t show and they went ahead on the hour mark when yet another Jebb delivery caused problems and Philpot rose to head home.

They might have doubled their lead soon after when Goldberg led a break before finding Philpot on the right wing. Goldberg continued his run and Philpot found him with a near post cross that he headed just over.

Already disadvantaged by losing two key men, Welling’s job became even tougher when Jebb was dismissed. Having been booked in the first half for throwing the ball away, an innocuous looking foul on Bradley Hudson-Odoi resulted in a second yellow and a pitch long walk to the tunnel.

Hudson-Odoi was soon in action again with a low shot that was well saved by Vose as Welling had to dig deep.

Goldberg was sacrificed with Jack Parkinson replacing him to try and protect the back four.

He made an important contribution when clearing off the line and that looked to be Hampton’s last hope gone.

However, with four and a half of the additional five minutes gone, Hampton had one last hope and Kiernan rescued their long unbeaten home run with the shot that was deflected beyond the unfortunate Vose.

Such was Welling’s frustration that Parkinson was a little too vocal towards the officials after the final whistle and was dismissed.

 

Hampton and Richmond Borough: Dieng, Wynter, Casey, Long, Wassmer, Jolley (Charles 77), Hudson-Odoi, Baptiste (Crawford 79), Jeffers, Kretzschmar, Kiernan.

Subs not used: Kamara, Sheldrick, Cook.

 

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Johnson (Jefford 53), Durojaiye, Okuonghae, Coyle, Jebb, Healy (Dymond 57), Goldberg (Parkinson 77), Coombes, Philpot.

Subs not used: Nanetti, Hall.

 

Hampton and Richmond Borough:

Goalscorers: Kiernan

Yellow cards: Wassmer, Jeffers, Crawford, Casey, Hudson-Odoi, Wynter

Red cards: None

 

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Philpot (60)

Yellow cards: Jebb, Driver, Coombes

Red cards: Jebb, Parkinson

 

Referee: Jacob Miles

Assistants: Robert Ablett and Jamie Wells

 

Attendance: 627

 

Welling star player: Jamie Coyle

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.