Whilst there was nothing at stake for already relegated Welling United, their guests, Salisbury, had to record a result at least as good as St Albans City’s to remain in the Vanarama National League South.

Injuries have blighted the Wings all season and they were forced into an emergency loan, bringing in goalkeeper Henry Blackledge from Luton Town following a training ground injury to Rhys Lovett. He was in action early when catching a difficult cross from Ronan Silva to settle his nerves.

At the other end, Gene Kennedy couldn’t get enough bend on his shot and it went wide of the far post before Salisbury’s Josh Hedges thrashed a shot into the side netting from wide inside the penalty area. Owen Dore then planted a free kick beyond Blackledge’s post.

Tom Leggett fired over as the visitors continued to probe however it was their goalkeeper, Rhys Byrne, who made the first save of the afternoon. Dan Martin did well to bring down a difficult cross-field pass and got his shot away quickly but Byrne got down well to stretch and hold it.

From a Welling corner, Salisbury broke away and had a two versus one opportunity but TJ Bramble timed his moment to make his challenge perfectly, forcing Callum Watts to take it out wide, and the chance was lost. Lewis Brown then scuffed a shot wide before Welling again went on the attack. Josh Redfearn broke away, and although he had two defenders confronting him, he made sufficient space to shoot and Byrne was called into making an excellent low save at the second attempt.

Sahid Kamara hit a shot that dipped late but flew wide of Byrne’s post before Jez Davies came close when meeting Bramble’s deep cross with a cushioned header that came back out off the post.

Watts drew a regulation save from Blackledge after he had been found by Sido Jombati before the Whites went ahead one minute before half time. Hedges cut into the penalty area, Bramble clipped him, and a spot kick was awarded. Hedges took it himself and converted, sending Blackledge the wrong way.

Brian Statham responded by bringing on Cameron Andrews for the second half and he had a chance when Kennedy did well to square it to him, but Josh Sommerton read it well and made a crucial block and it squirted through to Byrne.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, Welling levelled. Sam Cornish’s skills allowed him to find Redfearn and his clever footwork created room for him to poke it beyond Byrne and into the back of the net.

Kennedy hit a shot that whistled past the post, then Kamara tricked his way into the area before firing over. Davies again came close to his first Welling goal with a shot that rattled the crossbar but, knowing that a point would be enough with St Albans being well beaten at Truro, Salisbury ‘shut up shop’ and saw the game out without further alarm.

That brought Statham’s short spell as Welling manager to a close and his replacement for the 2025/26 season will be announced shortly.

Welling United: Blackledge, Bramble, Martin, Cornish, Winfield, Di Trolio, Kashket (Andrews 46), Kennedy, Redfearn (Taylor-Crossdale 73), Davies (Ballard-McBride 73), Kamara. Sub not used: Briscoe.

Goalscorer: Redfearn (63)

Yellow card: Winfield (90+1 foul)

Salisbury: Byrne, Jombati, Sommerton, Leggett, German, Dore, Watts (Watts (Ragguette 74), Brown, Silva (Lewis 90+3), Hedges (Tonks 83), Perez (Gregory 90+3). Sub not used: Dutton.

Goalscorer: Hedges pen (44)

Yellow cards: Watts (12 foul), Brown (90 dissent)

Referee: Nathan Oakes

Assistants: Alphie Ibrahim and Steven Marr

Fourth Official: Ryan Smith

Attendance: 702