It was a bitter-sweet afternoon for Welling United as they were held at home by Havant and Waterlooville.

They looked as though they were going to claim a crucial three points only to be pegged back by an equaliser with what was almost the last kick of the match.

Just three minutes were on the clock when Welling came close to opening the scoring. A free kick was only cleared out as far as Ben Wells, but his fierce drive flew back out off the bar.

Dipo Akinyemi cut in but fired high and wide then, at the other end, James Roberts got in behind, however Ben Margetson got across well to make the tackle. Akinyemi headed on to Harvey Bradbury and he pulled it back, but Joe Oastler read it and belted it over his own bar.

Wells arrived late to meet a deep corner, but he skied his shot over before Havant went ahead. Roberts was given space outside the penalty area, and he took full advantage with a brilliant finish in the top corner.

Ben Shroll’s header was hooked away from Coniah Boyce-Clarke by Scott Rendell, with nobody able to get on the end of it to finish then Jake McCarthy’s flying effort went wide. Billy Clifford’s free kick fell into the path of Paul Rooney, but Wells did well to charge down his effort.

Akinyemi had the last goal effort of the first half with a drive that Ross Worgan saved low at the second attempt.

After the interval, Bradbury headed wide from Bradley Stevenson’s corner before Welling levelled. Another Stevenson delivery caused problems and Bradbury was hauled down to stop him from getting on the end of it, and a penalty was awarded. Akinyemi stepped up and sent Worgan the wrong way.

McCarthy had a free kick saved comfortably by Boyce-Clarke before Akinyemi was far too strong for Oastler, but Shroll made a last ditch clearance when it was squared.

Twelve minutes remained when Welling went ahead. An attack looked like it had broken down, but it fell into the path of Ade Shokunbi, and he crashed it home from outside the area.

Alfie Matthews had a big shout for another Welling penalty, but his claims were waved away then Roberts sent a snap shot over.

Four additional minutes were signalled but a Welling substitution and double yellow card meant that further time was added, and Havant scored a dramatic leveller. They launched it from one end of the pitch to the other and it fell for substitute Jake Andrews to hook it home. 

Although disappointed to drop the two points, Welling will know that if they continue to show the application and attitude that they displayed in this match, they will have a great chance of escaping the drop.

Welling United: Boyce-Clarke, Statham, Ezennolim, Margetson, Sendles-White, Wells, Allen (Matthews 76), Stevenson (Derry 90+4), Bradbury, Akinyemi, Shokunbi.

Subs not used: Burnett, Mason-Saunders, Jackson.

Goalscorers: Akinyemi pen (57), Shokunbi (78)

Yellow cards: Statham, Sendles-White, Shokunbi, Matthews

Havant and Waterlooville: Worgan, Passley, Newton, Clifford, Shroll, Eastler, Duku (Payne 80), McCarthy (Andrews 76), Rendell (Wright 66), Rooney, Roberts.

Subs not used: Reid, Collins.

Goalscorers: Roberts, Andrews (90+6)

Yellow cards: Passley, Clifford

Referee: Tom Danaher

Assistants: Ryan Head and Tommy Breen

Attendance: 529

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.