Although Welling United’s FA Cup hopes were ended at Slough Town, they can hold their heads high as they gave everything for the cause.

Being reduced to ten men after just seven minutes could have resulted in them folding, however, their never-say-die attitude meant that the National League South hosts were kept at bay until eleven minutes from the end before the deadlock was broken.

Wiktor Makowski had the first opening of the match when played in behind down the right hand side but his first touch took it away from the goal and he could only thrash it into the side netting.

Then came the sending off the scuppered Welling’s plans. Scott Simmons committed a foul and when the referee reached for his pocket it looked as though he was going to be shown a harsh yellow card despite there being no reaction from the Rebels’ players in the vicinity.

However, disappointment turned to disbelief when a red card was brandished. Even Slough player-manager Scott Davies told the Welling supporters behind the goal that he believed that the decision was unjust.

That meant that Martin had to change the shape of his team. Zac Hambury was sacrificed twelve minutes into his full debut, and Aaron Williams-Bushell was brought on to replace him.

Makowski shot wide of the near post after Johnny Goddard created the opening, before Tom Leahy had a great chance for the Wings. He was sent through and he tried to lift it into the top corner but failed to hit the target.

Tyrique Clarke hit a twenty yard shot that was saved brilliantly by Welling goalkeeper Freddie Norman before Goddard hit a first time volley wide.

In the last minute of first half stoppage time, Logan Dobbs got on the end of a long free kick and his header was saved comfortably by Rebels goalkeeper Adam Desbois. 

After the break, Norman made a second outstanding save, this time to thwart Joshua Adepoju, then Dobbs was again in action at the other end with an attempted curler that drew a diving save out of Desbois.

Clarke went on a powerful run and set up Goddard who shot straight at Norman before Welling had another great chance. Greg Cundle broke down the right and squared to Ruben Shakpoke but his first touch let him down and he couldn’t get a shot away.

Adepoju had an effort saved comfortably before Slough scored the crucial goal. Goddard slid it across the goal and both Adepoju and Makowski attacked it in the six yard box with the latter appearing to get the final touch.

Nnaemeka Anyanwu had a free kick saved comfortably by Norman then a long range shot by Clarke fizzed past the post.

However, the Wings had one last chance when Slough struggled to clear a James Dyer free kick and it fell to John Ufuah. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a clean strike on it and it rolled wide.

On Saturday Welling return to league action when they host Canvey Island. 

Slough Town: Desbois; Roth, Davies, Ojemen. Gidaree; Ochieng, Nelson (Anyanwu 71); Adepoju (Bartlett-Antwi (90+4), Clarke, Goddard; Makowski.

Subs not used: Berry, Hines-Leacock, Sami, Long, Upstell.

Goalscorer: Majkowski (79)

Yellow cards: Ochieng (45+1 foul), Ojemen (45+5 foul)

Welling United: Norman; Simmons, Dobbs, Majoyegbe, Adjetey-Brew; Scott (Dyer 69); Ufuah, Siaw (Shakpoke 27), Ebuzoeme, Ufuah; T. Leahy (Cundle 69), Hambury (Williams-Bushell 12).

Subs not used: Holley, Antonio.

Goalscorers: None 

Yellow cards: Leahy (56 foul), Adjetey-Brew (67 foul), Majoyegbe (85 foul)

Red card: Simmons (7 serious foul play)

Referee: Marcus Tingey

Assistants: Ryan Smith and Ryan Carter

Fourth Official: Liam Botten

Attendance: 450