Jamie Turner’s moment of madness proved costly as Welling went down to a late Southport goal.
Until the 40th minute incident, Welling had been well in charge, but once Turner retaliated to a poor challenge, and got himself sent off, the game changed.
Even after that it looked like Welling were going to go home with a point until Southport sent their supporters home delirious with a stoppage time winner.
Jamie Day, Aristide Bassele, Malachi Hudson, and Jamal Fyfield all had opportunities blocked or off target as Southport struggled to contain Welling’s free flowing football.
Joe Healy then sent Hudson through but he could only stab wide as the goalkeeper came out, then Bassele pulled away and squared to Tyrone Marsh but the in-form striker could not find the power and David Raya Martin made a comfortable save.
Hudson and Healy combined well again but nobody was able to get on the end of the latter’s low ball across the face of the goal.
In the 40th minute, the game was changed when goalkeeper Turner trod on Richard Brodie’s arm. Turner had claimed a cross but Brodie went through the back of him and fell. Turner retaliated resulting in him being sent off whilst Brodie’s part earned him a caution. Day was also booked for offering his views to the referee. Substitute goalkeeper Jon Henly was brought on and Hudson sacrificed.
Early in the second period the Sandgrounders’ Paul Rutherford was cautioned for a foul on Ben Jefford but the hosts started to enjoy more of the game.
Joe Connor headed over from a Dominic Collins before Barney Williams was booked for a foul conceded when Welling were stretched at the back.
Southport looked to test Henly as much as possible with deep deliveries from free kicks and corners but Welling still looked dangerous on the break although they struggled to create clear cut openings.
Another Brodie tumble incensed the Welling players before he was thwarted by a great save from Henly as his header appeared bound for the top corner.
Substitutes John Marsden and Mitchell Austin both had chances before Henly made another good save when tipping a Marsden shot onto the post and wide. The referee awarded Welling a goal kick.
It looked as though Welling had ridden the storm until four minutes into injury time, Connor volleyed home Brodie’s cross.
Day attempted an audacious shot from the kick off believing that time had elapsed but was proved to be mistaken. He still had time to take out his frustration on Brodie, By the time the referee had sorted out the melee that ensued, Day had walked off knowing that a second yellow was pending.
As a result, Day will be looking at what team he will have at his disposal next weekend for the F.A. Cup game at Maidstone United. Suspensions will rule him out along with Turner and Chris Bush and he will have to hope that the parent clubs allow the players he has on loan to participate.
Southport: Raya Martin, Collins, Lynch (Austin 59), Foster, Connor, Rutherford, Fitzpatrick, George, Joyce, Brodie (Dyer), Bakayoko (Marsden 70).
Unused substitutes: McDonald, Lloyd-Weston.
Goal: Connor (90).
Welling United: Turner, Williams, Jefford, Day, Gallagher, Fyfield, Bassele, Beautyman, Marsh, Healy, Hudson (Henly 42).
Unused substitutes: Corne, St. Aimie, Nouble.
Referee: Steven Rushton
Attendance: 1,007
Welling star man: Jamal Fyfield
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.