Thurrock did well to earn themselves a point after they played over an hour of the game with ten men. In the first three minutes Lee Hodges had a shot saved after breaking into the box as Fleet started the better side. Fleet continued to press and Martin Carthy should have scored after Richard Goddard’s knock down but he only shot straight at Jamie Turner in the Welling goal. All of the pressure continued to come from Thurrock and a brilliant piece of skill followed by a pinpoint cross from Steve Harper saw Goddard’s fine header get deflected just over the bar. Welling did score after 28 minutes. Lee Hodges failed to track back, leaving Bodkin to run through. His cross was smashed towards goal by Danny Kedwell. The ball had beaten Glenn Knight but captain Jimmy McFarlane handled the ball. The referee had no choice but to send McFarlane off and Kedwell scored from the spot for his second of the season against Thurrock. Thurrock’s only other moment of note in the first half came when Harper’s flicked shot was well held by Turner.

Colin McBride made a change at the start of the second half with Brian Glover coming on for his debut and Hodges coming off. Welling did come out of the blocks quickly and had a goal disallowed after 47 minutes after a clear push in the penalty area. Harper was unlucky with a header that the keeper comfortably gathered. Welling continued to hit Thurrock on the break as they pressed for an equaliser and Knight did well to smother a shot. Thurrock were getting stronger, even with a man down and it was no surprise when they equalised when Carthy smashed home after Goddard had created havoc in the box. Moments later, the otherwise excellent Dave Collis allowed Stadart to run clear but Stadart failed to lob the ball over Knight. Thurrock did look the likelier to snatch the victory and Carthy had another glorious opportunity but shot straight at Turner and the Welling stopper also held a low 25 yarder from Garry Cross late on.

Man of the Match: Steve Heffer.

Thurrock: Knight, Collis, Goodfellow, Purdie, McFarlane, Hodges (Glover 45), Heffer, Cross, Carthy, Goddard, Harper.