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Welling United 1 Cheltenham Town 1 match report

00:00, 05 March 2016

updated: 16:31, 05 March 2016

Welling were cruelly denied victory by a 95th-minute equaliser against leaders Cheltenham on Saturday.

Luke Wanadio's 91st-minute strike looked to have given the Wings a surprise three points.

But Dan Holman fired in a low drive to extend Welling's winless run to 19 matches in the Vanarama National League.

Luke Wanadio celebrates his late goal for Welling. Picture: Keith Gillard
Luke Wanadio celebrates his late goal for Welling. Picture: Keith Gillard

It was a cruel blow on the Wings, who merited victory against a side who still sit top of the table.

Instead, they were left to lick their wounds after a roller-coaster five minutes of stoppages.

Welling handed a debut up front to Leyton Orient forward Scott Kashket and he was instrumental in a much-improved display.

Chances were at a premium at both ends. Cheltenham hardly looked like league leaders going into the final stretch of the season and Welling belied their lowly position.

Kashket found pockets of space between the midfield and back four, Tomi Adeloye had his best performance in a Welling shirt and Wanadio at last delivered an end product.

Nortei Nortey had a shot deflected wide of the target while Cheltenham's Holman headed off target as chances were few and far between at the end.

Danny Wright bundled his way through just before half-time and shot weakly at keeper Marek Rodak, who was rarely tested.

Welling's defensive duo of Ian Gayle and Kevin Lokko were dominant against the division's most potent attacking force.

Weling's Barney Williams in action against Cheltenham. Picture: Keith Gillard
Weling's Barney Williams in action against Cheltenham. Picture: Keith Gillard

After the break, Welling continued to defend with great shape. Cheltenham ran out of ideas and Rodak was a virtual spectator.

The visitors had a spell of pressure midway through the half when Noah Chesmain cleared off the line and a couple of excellent defensive blocks prevented the visitors taking the lead.

Cheltenham thought they were ahead on 78 minutes but Jack Munns' shot came back off the and post and was turned in by George McLennan. But his celebrations were cut short when the assistant referee flagged for offside.

The Wings nearly snatched an 84th-minute lead but Wanadio's low shot was turned onto the post by on-loan Wolves keeper Jonathan Flatt.

Welling introduced the pace of Sahr Kabba for the final three minutes and he had an immediate impact.

Kabba got in behind the Cheltenham defence and pulled the ball back for Wanadio, who beat his man and fired low beyond Flatt to put Welling ahead.

The Wings thought they had won it but Cheltenham finally came to life to claim a point.

Despite getting out of jail, Cheltenham - led by Harry Pell and Kyle Storer - surrounded referee David Rock at the final whistle to sum up a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.

Welling: Rodak, Chesmain, Wanadio, Kashket (Kabba 87mins), Nortey, Gayle, Lokko, Harris, Williams, Kargbo, Adeloye (Bakare 71mins). Subs not used: Daniel, Vidal.
Attendance: 604.

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