Welling United followed up their impressive win on Saturday with a hard earned draw at Gateshead to extend their unbeaten midweek away record this season.

Joe Healy’s third goal in two games put the Wings ahead but Gateshead equalised early in the second period with a highly contentious penalty.

The visitors started the brighter and Healy only just failed to find Harry Beautyman in the middle of the penalty area.

Lee Clarke then had a twenty-five yarder well saved by Adam Bartlett before Welling took a tenth minute lead.

Ross Lafayette got clear down the right wing before slinging in a great cross that Healy met with a powerful header at the far post.

Kurtis Guthrie then came close from a Healy cross before Gateshead came into the game with a strong last 25 minutes.

James Curtis missed a good chance with a header from a long free kick and Marcus Maddison, who caused many problems had a shot blocked by Doug Bergqvist and another saved by Lee Butcher.

Butcher saved from JJ O’Donnell and then thwarted John Oster by coming out quickly.

Again Butcher was called into action saving from O’Donnell, then James Brown’s diving header from Oster’s cross went wide.

Doug Bergqvist conceded a foul and was booked. From the free kick, Butcher did well to parry Maddison’s shot but was relieved when O’Donnell’s follow up came back off the bar.

There was still time for Butcher to make one more save before the break, somehow blocking Oster’s effort with his foot on the goal-line.

Connor McLaren made an important block early in the second period, then Butcher saved from Maddison before Welling’s defence was breached in the most unfortunate manner.

Healy was adjudged, very harshly, to have fouled Maddison in the penalty area and the Gateshead winger smashed home the spot kick.

Teams with less stomach might have folded but Welling gained more of a grip in midfield and shut down the supply to Maddison.

In fact, they could have regained the lead but substitute Loui Fazakerley was unable to turn Baily Cargill’s low cross in at the near post.

All Gateshead could manage were a couple of half chances before Welling assistant manager Barry Ashby was sent to the stand in the final minute of stoppage time.

Gateshead: Bartlett, Chandler (Walker62), Curtis, Clark, Turnball, Brown (Noble 62), Baxter, Sirrell, Maddison, Oster

(Hatch 87), O’Donnell. Unused substitutes: Magnay, Cummings.

Welling United: Butcher, McLaren, Cargill, Wakefield, Hudson, Bergqvist, Beautyman, Clarke (Gallagher 46), Guthrie (Fazakerley 54), Lafayette, Healy (Cumbers 56).

Unused substitutes:Turner, Jack Obersteller.

Referee: Jason Whiteley

Attendance: 621

Welling star man: Lee Butcher

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.