It says much that Welling United were distraught that they only drew with the favourites to win the Vanarama National League, Cheltenham Town.
Potential league winners claim late points when all looks lost, as Welling supporters will remember from their Conference South winning campaign, and Cheltenham did just that in the 95th minute.
Reece Harris created the first chance of the match for Nortei Nortey but his shot was deflected beyond the far post at the cost of a corner.
Dan Holman and Daniel Parslow both headed over as Cheltenham looked to make an impression.
Holman had a shot saved comfortably saved before Marek Rodak made a fine double stop from Danny Wright before a mostly uneventful first half came to an end.
Another Holman long range effort was saved before debutant Scott Kashket, on loan from Leyton Orient, almost embarrassed Cheltenham goalkeeper when charging down his clearance but it rebounded into safety.
Rodak made an outstanding save from Holman before Michael Bakare fired wide when well placed following excellent work by Barney Williams.
George McLennan netted after Holman’s effort came back off the post but Cheltenham’s joy was short lived as he was well offside.
Nortey brought a save out of Platt before it was Welling’s turn to hit the post with Luke Wanadio the unlucky Wing.
He was not to be denied, however, and scored with a fine shot inside the far post one minute into injury time. Harris’ quick throw sent Sahr Kabba away and he picked out Wanadio to finish.
Hopes that Welling might end their long run without a league win were dashed when Holman snatched a 95th minute equaliser.
Although hurting after the match Welling manager Dean Frost said “I was pleased with the performance. I’m proud of the way the lads have responded to the run that we’ve been on. They’ve competed against a side at the top. We score. Everyone in the ground thinks that’s it. Three points. Then they go up the other end with just a minute to go and score an equaliser.
“I’m gutted for the players. I’m gutted for everyone at the club. It’s a bit of a sucker punch that you concede late but we’ve scored at last. We’ve hit the post and had a few other chances.”
He conceded that the Welling goal celebrations may have caused the referee to add the extra minute in which Cheltenham equalised. “If it was another moment in time I would have been having a go at the players for the way they celebrated but that’s just pure relief that we’ve scored and probably think that we’ve won the game so I can’t be critical.”
Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson was disappointed but had praise for the Wings. “Welling put in a really good performance there as far as their energy, their passion. They look like a team that are fighting and trying to get out of the trouble that they’re in.
If they play like that they will because at this level that sort of team energy that they put in on the day is going to get them close to winning and drawing football matches.”
Now Welling prepare for their Kent derby at Dover on Tuesday with renewed confidence.
Welling United: Rodak,Williams, Chesmain, Kargbo,Gayle, Lokko, Wanadio, Nortey, Adeyole (Bakare 71), Kashket (Kabba 87) Harris.
Unused substitutes: Vidal, Daniel..
Goalscorers: Wanadio (90+1)
Yellow cards: Harris, Nortey
Cheltenham Town: Flatt, Barthram, Rowe (McLennan 34), Storer, Burgess, Parslow, Hall (Pell 55), Cranston, Wright (Morgan-Smith 72), Holman, Munns.
Unused substitutes: Kitscha, Waters.
Goalscorers: Holman (90+5)
Yellow cards: Storer
Referee: David Rock
Assistants: Alexander Guy and Carl Pearse
4th Official: Gregory Read
Attendance: 602
Welling star man: Ibrahim Kargbo
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.