There was little to choose between Welling United and Dartford in a well contested local derby.

Twice Welling went ahead, and twice Dartford levelled as the game ended all square.

George Alexander came in for his Welling debut and had the first goal effort when slipped in by Ade Azeez but Tom Bonner recovered to block his shot.

Taylor Maloney then tried his luck with a low drive, but former Wings’ goalkeeper Dan Wilks was equal to it.

Medy Elito had Welling’s next chance when his first time shot from inside the penalty area was cleared off the line by Bonner before the Darts had their first opportunity when a deep Luke Coulson cross got a touch from a Wings’ defender which took Charlie Sheringham by surprise when it hit him and flew wide.

Stefan Payne held it up well before laying it off to Aaron Powell. He burst down the wing before clipping a cross to pick out Ade Azeez at the far post. The former Dartford striker headed downwards but Wilks made a brilliant save just inside the post.

Connor Essam went up for a Dartford free kick delivered by Coulson and flicked on by Sheringham but his attempted overhead kick was not struck cleanly and it floated wide.

Azeez had a shot deflected wide by Maxwell Statham before Welling went ahead just before half time. Maloney delivered a corner, Kodi Lyons-Foster headed it back and Alexander reacted with a brilliant overhead bicycle kick that flew in.

In first half injury time Coulson broke away but Powell held him up long enough to allow Rob Howard to come across and make a superb covering tackle.

After the interval, Dartford raised the tempo and Sheringham hit a half volley well wide. However, he made no mistake with his next opportunity. Jack Smith eased across the penalty box and let fly.

Although his shot was blocked, it came out to Sheringham who gave Welling goalkeeper Miles Roberts no chance with a clinical finish.

However, the wind was taken out of their sails six minutes later when Welling went back ahead.

Maloney played it in behind the Dartford defence for Azeez to fire home via the underside of the bar.

There was little to choose between the teams after that as it became a scrappy affair stopped for yellow cards and substitutions. That was until Dylan Gavin got in behind but Bonner recovered to make an excellent block. Maloney shot wide from twenty yards before Dartford levelled with seven minutes remaining.

Clever inter-passing between Samir Carruthers and Jernade Meade allowed the former to find Malachi Napa and he opened his body to place his shot inside the far post.

Napa had another opportunity but was denied by an outstanding save before Pierre Fonkeu shot wide in injury time.

One point out of the last nine on offer for Dartford has probably put paid to their championship hopes and the point that Welling gained has not helped them move back into the top half of the table but it was probably a fair result on the balance of play.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard, Powell, Dunne, Sendles-White, Lyons Foster, Elito, Alexander (Gavin 69), Payne, Azeez (Kassarate 87), Maloney.

Subs not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Parry, Lisbie.

Goalscorers: Alexander (43), Azeez (59)

Yellow cards: Payne, Alexander, Feeney (manager), Powell

Dartford: Wilkes, Statham, Meade, Wynter, Bonner, Essam, Coulson (Fonkeu 78), Smith (Allen 71), Sheringham, Loza (Napa 57), Carruthers.

Subs not used: Campbell, Murtagh.

Goalscorers: Sheringham (53), Napa (83)

Yellow cards: Smith, Essam, Wynter

Referee: Stephen Parkinson

Assistants: Adam Merchant and Stuart Smith

Attendance: 1,731

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.