Bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division table, Whitehawk, hosted league leaders Welling United on a rainy and windy Tuesday night on the Sussex coast.

Despite the weather conditions, the two teams put on a show and ended with honours even.

Playing down the slope, and with the wind and rain direction in their favour, Welling pushed for an early advantage but found the home defence in obstinate mood and it was the visitors who had the first goal attempt when Beaux Booth was off target. The Wings’ first effort came shortly after when Demaray Anyadike’s cross was slightly behind Zak O’Keefe and he went for an audacious overhead kick that flew over.

O’Keefe then turned provider when his cross was headed out as far as Sam Smith and he shot wide then the Leyton Orient loanee sent Chris Harris away down the line. He played it in to Anyadike who moved it on to Smith, and his drive was deflected just past the post.

Goalkeeper Hugo Fisher made a mess of a Welling cross allowing Kaan Bennett a shot that was blocked off the line, however, the Welling man was not to be denied and he put the Wings ahead with the last kick of the first half. Fumnaya Shomotun delivered a low cross and Bennett poked it past Fisher and into the back of the net.

After the break, a brilliant cross by Chris Arthur found Bennett who was unable to hit the target before Anyadike headed Shomotun’s cross wide. Then the hosts started to get some joy with the conditions and slope now in their favour.

Victor Aiye drew a save out of Mackenzie Foley with a near post free kick before the Wings’ goalkeeper tipped over a fierce drive from a tight angle by Kamarni Ryan. Foley then had to tidy up an opportunity of his own making. His clearance struck Rhys Murphy and the two of them had a foot race that the Wings’ custodian won, enabling him to kick it into touch.

Each team had an effort. Imran Kayani shot straight at Foley and at the other end Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo fired over, before the hosts levelled midway through the second period. Kayani eased his way along the edge of the penalty area before clipping it over Foley and under the bar.

Looking for a quick response a Smith corner was cleared back to him and he let fly but screwed his effort high and wide. Shortly after, Whitehawk went ahead. Murphy had a shot blocked, however, it was played back in to him and he fired home from close range.

There was almost an immediate response when Harris crossed to the near post and Ryan Blackman met it with a bullet header that drew a stunning one handed save out of Fisher. 

However, Welling didn’t have to wait too much longer before levelling. Blackman delivered a corner that caused chaos and it crossed the line off a defender.

Former Wing Yannis Drais shot wide from long range before Blackman fired well over. The Welling midfielder almost won it in stoppage time but Nikolai Krokhin made a great goal-line clearance and he had one last chance when firing over after getting on the end of Fisher’s punch out.

Although two points lost cost Welling their place at the top of the table, they extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a home game against Three Bridges up next. 

Whitehawk: Fisher; Olurunnisomo, Krokhin, Reeves, Chadwick; Fosu, Drais; Booth (Seok-Jei 84), Aiye (Murphy 55), Halim (Kayani 61); Ryan (Jones 90+1).

Sub not used: Cook.

Goalscorer: Kayani (68), Murphy (73)

Yellow cards: None

Welling United: Foley; Otseh-Taiwo, O’Keefe, Majoyegbe, Arthur (Anthony 77); Miller-Rodney, Smith (Blackman 71); Anyadike (Cooper 63), Bennett (Reynolds 63), Shomotun (Adesanya 63); Harris.

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Bennett (45+2), Own Goal (79)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: John-Patrick Kane

Assistants: Thomas Murray and Jack Healy

Attendance: 179