Another good point on the road kept Welling United’s unbeaten run going when they drew at St. Albans City.

They are now just one point away from safety having looked doomed a few weeks ago. Six games undefeated, three wins and three draws, have given them hope although there is still a long way to go.

Early on, the hosts had a number of half chances but didn’t trouble Welling goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook and it was the visitors who had the first clear cut chances. Sonny Fish burst through but fired narrowly wide. Cameron Green then intercepted a sloppy pass out and let fly with a shot that went just over,

In the twenty-sixth minute, Welling went ahead. Green whipped in a free kick that former Wing Ryan Blackman could only head into his own net.

However, within a minute parity was restored when Welling nemesis Shaun Jeffers out-muscled his man and forced his way through before firing home via the far post.

Jason Adigun drew a great save out of the Saints’ goalkeeper Michael Johnson before Gio Rasulo’s shot was saved by Charles-Cook and was cleared as far as Blackman who blazed over.

Reece Grant had a shot deflected wide for Welling as they took the game to their hosts. Adigun made space for himself but shot wide before he tried his luck with an effort that Johnson couldn’t hold but a defender was able to scramble it away

Joe Ellul had the last chance of the half when glancing a Green corner wide.

Immediately after the break, Welling had a huge shout for a penalty refused when Reece Grant appeared to have been hauled down in the penalty area,

At the other end Jack James headed over from Dom Hutchinson’s cross but Welling again went close when Reece Grant created an opening for Anthony Grant who flashed his shot over.

There was then an escape for the Wings when Hutchinson’s low drive came back out off the base of the post and James skied the rebound over. James came closer soon after with a shot the Charles-Cook blocked on the line with an outstretched boot.

Gene Kennedy fired over for Welling before Blackman was well off target for the hosts at the other end.

After that the two teams seemed to settle with what they had and the spoils were shared..

St Albans City: Johnson, James, Brown, Smith, Bowry, Partington, Rasulo (Weiss 68), Blackman, Jeffers, Hoddle (Banton 82), Hutchinson (Mensah 78). Subs not used: Hamid, Burger.

Goalscorers: Jeffers (27)

Yellow cards: Partington, Bowry

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema, Green, Burchell, Ellul, Byrd, Adigun, A. Grant, Fish (Foyo 87), R. Grant., Kennedy. Sub not used: Pitterson, Krabbendam, Papadopoulos, Holness.

Goalscorers: Blackman own goal (26)

Yellow card: Adigun

Referee: Adrian George

Assistants: Kieran Bailey and Ryan Dix

Attendance: 1,701

Images courtesy of Dave Budden