Dover came from behind to claim a deserved draw at Welling in National League South on Tuesday night.

The visitors were the better side for long periods at Park View Road, as Welling never really got into their stride, although an eventual final 20 minutes saw chances at both ends.

Dover played with an air of confidence, their morale no doubt boosted by Saturday’s 2-0 win at struggling Weymouth.

With Jake Goodman ruled out through injury the visitors employed midfielder Mitch Brundle and Jordan Higgs as part of a three-man defence which was rarely troubled in the first half.

A lovely passing move from the left-back position to the right wing, involving Alfie Paxman, Lee Martin and Alfie Pavey ended with Myles Judd crossing for his opposite wing-back, Paxman but his first time shot was high over the bar.

Welling’s Taylor Mahoney sent a deflected free-kick straight at Dover keeper Stuart Nelson but the Wings were lacking any bite in attack.

The rest of the first half saw referee Jack Packman get to work, showing three yellow cards. Manny Parry was rightly carded for chopping down Paxman but Judd was unfortunate to be cautioned for a robust challenge. Dover skipper Lee Martin took out Payne and was rightly booked.

Welling clearly upped their tempo after the break although it took until midway through the half for a serious chance, when Payne headed over from close range.

Dover were still a threat on the break and the physicality of Chike Kandi – a first-half replacement for the injured Reece Grant - never let the home defence settle. Kandi shot over from 20 yards before he failed to pick out Pavey for a tap-in having done all the hard work.

The chances were starting to flow at both ends and Mahoney’s centre had to be tipped over by keeper Nelson, who collided with the post.

Welling took the lead from the resulting corner, Manny Parry getting away from his marker to volley in from eight yards with 13 minutes left.

But the lead lasted just four minutes. Kandi muscled his way between two Welling defenders, Parry’s hesitation was crucial, and then produced a brilliant low left-foot finish beyond Myles Roberts.

Neither side appeared content with a point, though. Payne’s low shot was beaten away and Azeez somehow failed to turn in from close range for Welling before Luke Wanadio’s 20-yard right-foot curler was brilliantly saved by Roberts, who also kept out Pavey’s far-post header.

Welling thought they’d won it but full-back Chi Ezennolim’s shot came back off the crossbar from 20 yards in the first minute of stoppage time. The chances didn’t stop there, though, as Wings substitute Antony Papadopoulos headed over, Pavey was again denied by the excellent Roberts and then virtually the last kick of the game saw Maloney send a 25-yard free-kick just over the bar.

Welling: Roberts, Howard (Papadopoulos 67mins), Ezennolim, Parry, Olomowewe (Aransibia 89mins), Azeez, Payne, Kassarate, Dunne, White, Maloney. Subs not used: Hyde, Francis, McKenzie.

Dover: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Krasniqi, Brundle, Higgs, Pavey, Wanadio, Martin, Sterling, Grant (Kandi 25mins). Subs not used: Moses, Carney, Baptiste, Byford.

Referee: Jack Packman.

Attendance: 720.