Dover came from behind to claim a deserved draw at Welling in National League South on Tuesday night.
The visitors were the better side for long periods at Park View Road, as Welling never really got into their stride, although an eventual final 20 minutes saw chances at both ends.
Dover played with an air of confidence, their morale no doubt boosted by Saturday’s 2-0 win at struggling Weymouth.
With Jake Goodman ruled out through injury the visitors employed midfielder Mitch Brundle and Jordan Higgs as part of a three-man defence which was rarely troubled in the first half.
A lovely passing move from the left-back position to the right wing, involving Alfie Paxman, Lee Martin and Alfie Pavey ended with Myles Judd crossing for his opposite wing-back, Paxman but his first time shot was high over the bar.
Welling’s Taylor Mahoney sent a deflected free-kick straight at Dover keeper Stuart Nelson but the Wings were lacking any bite in attack.
The rest of the first half saw referee Jack Packman get to work, showing three yellow cards. Manny Parry was rightly carded for chopping down Paxman but Judd was unfortunate to be cautioned for a robust challenge. Dover skipper Lee Martin took out Payne and was rightly booked.
Welling clearly upped their tempo after the break although it took until midway through the half for a serious chance, when Payne headed over from close range.
Dover were still a threat on the break and the physicality of Chike Kandi – a first-half replacement for the injured Reece Grant - never let the home defence settle. Kandi shot over from 20 yards before he failed to pick out Pavey for a tap-in having done all the hard work.
The chances were starting to flow at both ends and Mahoney’s centre had to be tipped
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match report
Matthew Panting
Lee Martin
Mitch Brundle