In front of a live TV audience, Welling United played some great football at Kidderminster Harriers but left empty handed..
Two soft first half goals undermined their attempts to play passing football against a team that wanted to play a more direct game.
Early on, a good move almost set Loui Fazakerley free but Danny Lewis was out smartly to cover.
After Jack Byrne had shot wide when a long ball caused problems. Kidderminster went ahead on 13 minutes. Jared Hodkiss got on the end of a poorly cleared deep cross and fired home with the help of a big deflection.
To make matters worse, at the other end Joe Healy had a chance that Hodgkiss half blocked to take the ball the wrong side of the post.
Jamie Day hit the angle of bar and post with a shot at the end of another good move, then Jamal Fyfield headed wide from a corner.
On the break, the hosts looked dangerous and Marvin Johnson created an opportunity for himself but shot into the side netting.
Somewhat against the run of play, Welling conceded a second. Kevin Nicholson’s free kick was pushed out by Jon Henly straight at Fyfield, and it went back off him into the net.
Tyrone Marsh had a shot saved before Henly was booked for a challenge on the sideline that took out both the Kidderminster striker and the Welling defender, but not the ball.
Fazakerley came off worse in a collision early in the second half and had to be withdrawn with Aristide Bassele replacing him.
Harry Beautyman reduced the arrears with his eighth goal of the season. Healy’s touch gave Ben Jefford room, and he put in a wonderful cross that the Wings’ leading scorer finished with ease.
After that, Kidderminster struggled to compete with Welling’s passing but despite conceding corner after corner, still came closest to scoring. Craig Reid had a header saved comfortably and substitute Nathan Blissett headed wide of the far post when left unmarked.
Beautyman’s late corner hit Bassele and bounced into the goalkeeper’s arms as the last chance came and went.
Welling will be looking to cut out the individual defensive errors and create a little more up front when they entertain Nuneaton Town on Saturday.
Kidderminster: Lewis, Hodgkiss, Dunkley. Grimes (Gittings 61), Nicholson, Storer, Verma, Byrne, Johnson, Gash (Blissett 67), Reid.
Unused substitutes: Green, Styche, Obeng.
Welling United: Henly, Williams, Jefford, Day, Bush, Fyfield, Fazakerley (Bassele 47), Beautyman, Fagan (Hudson 86), Marsh, Healy.
Unused substitutes: Turner, Nouble, Corne.
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 1,560
Welling star man: Jamie Day
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.