On a heavy pitch Welling United and St Albans City battled hard before claiming a point apiece in the Vanarama National League South.

While a number of other local games were called off, Welling groundsman Jamie Honeyman, and a group of supporters, worked hard to get the pitch playable and the referee was happy for the game to proceed.

Giorgio Rasulo thought that he had scored in the twelfth minute when he netted at the far post from a low diagonal cross by Aiden Dausch until he saw the raised assistant referee’s flag for offside. Harrison Smith then stuck out a leg to try and prod home James Sweet’s pass but Rhys Lovett, returning from injury, made a simple save.

Chiori Johnson, also back after a few weeks out, went on a long run but had it nicked off his toe when just about to try and slip it home. Michael Johnson, the St Albans goalkeeper, was then called into action when making an excellent save from Dave Winfield’s downward after he had found space to meet Dan Martin’s corner.

Shortly before half time Dausch tried his luck from fifteen yards but his shot whistled past the angle of bar and far post.

At the break, Welling manager Rod Stringer was forced into making a change due to another injury to Johnson, and chose to tweak his formation by bringing on Josh Redfearn, then eleven minutes in, he made another change when replacing Finn Ballard-McBride with Zain Walker.

Walker was quickly into the action and hit a shot that was blocked by Johnson. The Welling substitute then went on a long run down the left before he tried to sneak it between Johnson and the near post but the goalkeeper managed to get something on it to deflect it into the side netting.

Although Welling weren’t short on endeavour, they struggled to create further opportunities until going ahead with thirteen minutes remaining. Dan Martin made space for himself before crossing for Jayden Davis to head back across goal and in off the far post.

Stringer replaced James Alabi, whose shirt was stretched to its limits having been pulled all afternoon, with Sam Cornish, but seven minutes later, the visitors equalised. Brandon Mason got down the wing and crossed. Alfie Bendle might have got a slight touch before it hit the unfortunate Winfield on the shoulder and flew just inside the far post.

Shaun Jeffers had a shot deflected and Lovett reacted quickly to collect it and stop it going out for a corner before the Saints had one last chance deep into stoppage time. Mason again got down the left wing and tried to slot it home but Riccardo Di Trolio got back to thwart his former team with a crucial block.

There will be little time for the Welling team to rest as they will be back in action on Tuesday night with another important match in their fight against relegation when they visit Enfield Town.

Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Redfearn 46), Martin (H. Walker 90), Quick, Winfield, Di Trolio, Davis (Burchell 90), Grant, Alabi (Cornish 78), Kennedy, Ballard-McBride (Z Walker 56). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorer: Davis (76)

Yellow card: Grant (90 foul)

St Albans City: Johnson, Banton, Mason, Sweet (Casteglione 85), Woodman, Longe-King, Bendle, Davis (Moore 64), Smith (Jeffers 75), Dausch, Rasulo. Sub not used: Payne, Wyatt.

Goalscorer: Winfield own goal (85)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Phillip Eddie

Assistants: Michael Butcher and Scott Crowhurst

Fourth Official: Nicholas Garside

Attendance: 895

Images courtesy of Dave Budden