After five weeks on the road, Welling United were delighted to return home with a game against Wrexham.
Alex Dyer’s departure from Welling meant they were forced into one change from their draw at Grimsby Town and Jamie Day chose to make another by leaving himself out. Harry Beautyman returned from injury and captain Lee Clarke from suspension.
Early opportunities went Wrexham’s way and Lee Butcher was called into making a stunning save from Johnny Hunt’s downward header.
Robert Evans clipped the Welling crossbar before a brilliant finish by Andy Bishop was ruled out for offside. Veteran striker Brett Ormerod was cautioned for dissent.
After 29 minutes, Welling went ahead. Beautyman slung in a free kick in an area that is difficult to defend and Kurtis Guthrie claimed his first goal of the season with a header that gave Andy Coughlin no chance.
Clarke missed a great chance to double Welling’s lead soon after but side footed Ross Lafayette’s pass wide of the post.
Stephen Wright had to retire hurt for Wrexham in the 33rd minute and was replaced by Leon Clowes and the visitors equalised six minutes later amid much controversy.
Referee Robert Whitton, who had a poor game throughout, failed to give a free kick for a blatant foul on Joe Healy and Wrexham broke away to score. Although the chance should not have arisen, it was a brilliant finish by Hunt that gave Butcher no chance.
Neil Ashton thought he had given Wrexham the lead just before the break but Butcher made a brilliant save from the close range near post header.
Clumsy tackling saw Joe Clarke booked and Welling’s Jake Gallagher followed soon after for a foul in which he hurt himself. Doug Bergqvist replaced him and the Welling midfielder must be highly doubtful for the Boxing Day derby at Dartford.
Evans drew another fine save from Butcher, aided by Fraser Franks who was first to the loose ball to clear.
More cautions followed first for Wrexham’s Evans for punching the ball into the Welling net, then for Wings’ defender Blaine Hudson for a mistimed tackle.
Clarke hit a rasping drive for Wrexham that took a slight deflection as it flew over and the visitors ran up a succession of corners but the Welling defence held firm.
Having weathered the storm, Welling looked to claim the additional two points.
Wings’ captain Clarke failed to get onto the end of a Luis Cumbers header then Lafayette curled an effort over.
Mark Carrington brought a regulation save out of Butcher before Wrexham player-manager Andy Morrell became the fourth member of his team to be booked, just four minutes after coming on.
Cumbers was pulled back in the penalty area in injury time but the referee again failed to give Welling the decision, then a combination of Coughlin and Rob Ogleby somehow kept out Aristide Bassele in the final minute.
Welling United: Butcher, Vanderhyde, Cargill, Gallagher (Bergqvist 59), Franks, Hudson, Beautyman (Bassele 66), Clarke, Guthrie (Cumbers 63), Lafayette, Healy.
Unused substitutes: Turner, McLaren.
Wrexham: Coughlin, Wright (Clowes 33), Ashton, Clarke, Bishop (Morrell 87), Ormerod (Anyinsah 70), Ogleby, Hunt, Evans, Artell, Carrington.
Unused substitutes: Mayebi, Colbeck.
Referee: Robert Whitton
Attendance: 633
Welling star man: Fraser Franks
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.