After a slow opening, Welling United showed they desire to see off an obstinate Chippenham Town.

Mekhi McLeod was awarded his full league debut for Welling whilst Montel Agyemang made his first league start since November as Steve King utilised his small squad as best he could.

Dan Wilks made a save in the opening minutes as Nick McCootie got in behind the Welling defence and fired in a shot at the near post.

The visitors continued to look the livelier and it came as no surprise when the went ahead in the fifteenth minute. This time it was Karnell Chambers who got through and he beat Wilks with a delicate chip from a tight angle.

Once they had gone ahead, the visitors chose to hold on to what they had by any means possible instead of showing any enterprise to try and add a second goal.

Some of their time wasting was blatant, but aided by weak officials, they were able to play a spoiling game.

Eventually, Welling did create a chance but Brendan Kiernan headed Agyemang’s corner wide.

Will Puddy claimed a Jack Barham block which looped up before Welling were denied a clear cut penalty when Danny Mills was wrestled to the ground in front of an assistant referee who was only interested in flagging throw ins.

Hill headed wide just before the referee brought an uninspiring first half to an end.

Immediately after the break, Chippenham should have doubled their lead when George Rigg sent Chambers clear but his composure went awry this time around and he blasted wide.

That proved to be the visitors last goal attempt as Welling camped in the Bluebirds half.

McLeod had a shot saved easily before he made way for Gavin McCallum as Welling started to show more urgency. Immediately, he found Hill but he hooked wide.

Puddy then made a good save from Kiernan before Welling levelled. McCallum sent Jordan Gibbons away and his low cross found Mills. His effort was finished by a gleeful Kiernan who celebrated with a somersault.

Now on the ascendancy, Welling continued to push and a Hill volley was deflected wide before Welling went ahead, albeit in slightly fortunate fashion. Kiernan crossed and Hill’s header took a big deflection to leave Puddy helpless.

Chippenham were unable to create another opportunity in the remaining ten minutes plus injury time and Welling might have made it three when a fierce drive by substitute Bradley Goldberg was deflected wide.

Welling United: Wilks, Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha, Audel, Hill, Kiernan (Acheampong 87), Agyemang, Mills, Barham (Goldberg 81), McLeod (McCallum 65).

Subs not used: Anau.

Chippenham Town: Puddie, Parselle, Ossai, Evans (Gunner 75), Rigg, Guthrie, Smile, Chambers, Richards, Jarvis, McCootie (Compton 86).

Subs not used: Jones, Rutty, Lea

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Kiernan (71), Hill (80)

Yellow cards: Braham-Barrett, Barham, Ijaha

Red cards: None

Chippenham Town:

Goalscorers: McCootie (15)

Yellow cards: McCootie

Red cards: None

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Assistants: Kirsty Dowle and Daniel Proctor

Attendance: 248

Welling star man: Brendan Kiernan

Pictures supplied by Dave Brown.