Histon 1 v 0 Welling United

Nationwide Conference South

By Peter Guise

"Now we know what it feels like," was Adrian Pennock's comment after the Wings were denied a crucial point in the 89th minute of this encounter at the Glassworld Stadium.

After beating Cambridge City with a late strike last Wednesday, Welling suffered a late blow themselves against a Histon side needing the win to secure the Conference South title and automatic promotion to non league's pinnacle competition.

Welling weathered Histon's first half hurricane in which the champions elect battered the visitors' defence with attack after attack.

As early as the first minute Knight-Percival had a shot blocked by Steve Perkins and Antonio Murray saw Jamie Turner grab his deflected shot at the foot of the right hand post.

Histon skipper Jamie Barker drew gasps from the Glassworld faithful when his shot on the turn from a narrow angle found the side netting.

It was fully half an hour before the Wings troubled the home defence with top scorer Danny Kedwell losing out in a one on one with the keeper as Key dived bravely at the Welling striker's feet.

Just before the end of the first period Kedwell was again unlucky when he shot through the crowd only to see his effort cleared off the line.

After the turnaround the match continued in much the same vein but Welling were equal to their task.

With the clock running down, it seemed the Wings had done more than enough to secure a valuable play off place point until that late, late momentary lapse.

Turner, uncharacteristically, failed to hold on to a cross and Adrian Cambridge stabbed the ball home from 12 yards.

Cue title celebrations from the majority of the 1,612 inside the Glassworld.

Pennock said: "We're disappointed because we matched them for 89 minutes.

"We've given them a goal but good luck to Histon they deserve it for what they've achieved over the whole season, not just in this match."

Despite this reverse, the Wings remain third in Conference South.

They now have three matches against teams from the other end of the table in which to secure their promotion play off berth.

The first is tomorrow night (April 17) against Basingstoke Town (kick off 7.45pm at Princes Park, the home of Dartford FC).

MATCH FACTS:

WELLING: Turner, Bruce, Moore, Perkins, Lewis, Carpenter, Carthy (Boateng, 57), Green, Tucknott, Kedwell, Mackie (Harper, 78).

SUBS NOT USED: Rowland, Hyde, Goodfellow.