Two teams needing points for very different reasons met as play-off hopefuls Woking entertained relegation threatened Welling United.
Before the game had kicked off Welling had to make a change as illness to Michael Chambers resulted in him being replaced by Reece Harris.
Ben Jefford, back from his loan spell at Ebbsfleet United, slotted into the left sided centre back of three. Manager, Loui Fazakerley gave special praise to Jefford saying “He even surprised me. He was immense.”
They got the boost they needed in the eighth minute when Dominic Vose put in a perfect free kick for Ross Lafayette’s stooping header which went beyond Michael Crowe and into the far corner.
Jake Gallagher was then left free but Reece Harris’ cross was just behind him and he was unable to find the target with his header.
Yemi Odubabe had a couple of half chances and John Goddard volleyed over before Scott Rendell found himself clear but his lob was gathered comfortably by Welling goalkeeper Jonathan Henly.
Once again, Gallagher was off target before Vose attempted a spectacular volley when left alone from Barney Williams’ deep cross.
Joe Healy headed wide from another Vose corner just before half time.
Immediately after the break, referee Dean Treleaven made some key decisions that had Fazakerley, and some of the players still fuming after the final whistle. First, he refused a penalty to Welling when Lafayette was clearly bundled over.
He then gave a free kick and a yellow card for a Gallagher tackle that looked clean, and then again penalised Gallagher for a tackle inside the penalty area on Kevin Betsy and awarded the hosts a spot kick.
Rendell, celebrating being named Vanarama Conference Premier player of the month stepped up and fired home off the trailing leg of Welling goalkeeper Jonathan Henly.
Joey Jones then hauled down Lafayette as he looked to go clear and was probably relieved to escape with a yellow card. Vose curled the resultant free kick just wide.
Harris put in a low cross that was deflected just beyond Lafayette who would have had a tap in, then Gallagher tested Crowe with a long shot that moved in the air.
Odubade had a shot saved but put the hosts ahead with his next chance after Rendell played the ball into his path.
Fazakerley took prompt action bringing on Sam Corne and Tashan Adeyinka, and the latter made an immediate impact by heading home Joe Healy’s cross.
Explaining the decision to make the changes, Fazakerley said, “We don’t just make them on the fly. We thought about them before the game. What we would do if we needed a goal?”
Gallagher almost got through for Welling then Josh Payne came close to putting the hosts back ahead but his header went wide.
In injury time, Rendell thought he had clinched the three points when he netted at the second attempt. The Woking supporters celebrations were halted, however, when the goal was disallowed for offside.
Afterwards, Fazakerley said “It’s a tough place to come but we came looking for a win. It was good character to come back from 2-1 down.”
Woking: Crowe, Jones, Saah, Rickets, Arthur, Goddard, Payne, Murtagh, Betsy, Rendell, Odubade.
Unused substitutes: Little, Sole, Banya, Newton, Oyeleke.
Welling United: Henly, Williams, Jefford, Berry, Osborne, Gallagher, Vose (Corne 74), St. Aimie, Lafayette, Harris (Adeyinka 74), Healy.
Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Corne, Fagan, Adeyinka.
Referee: Dean Treleaven
Assistants: Louis Mark & Jonathan Burridge
4th Official: Paul Evans
Welling star man: Jake Gallagher
Attendance: 2,819
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.