Welling United...........1

Tranmere Rovers.......1

A stunning late goal from Sam Corne denied ten-man Tranmere victory against Welling United at Park View Road, extending Rovers’ winless streak to four matches.

Lois Maynard gave the visitors the lead a minute after the interval with a close range header but just three minutes from full time United equalised when Corne produced an outstanding 30-yard strike that crashed in off the post leaving Scott Davies stranded.

Tranmere were reduced to ten men on 72 minutes when Ritchie Sutton was sent off for an innocuous of-the-ball clash with Sahr Kabba.

Television replays failed to justify the decision.

Rovers struggled to find any rhythm early doors with Davies sprinting off his line to deny Kabba on the quarter of an hour mark before Sutton blocked a Corne effort from close range five minutes later.

Andy Mangan came close for the visitors on 22 minutes but his low left foot shot was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Chambers.

A mix up between Davies and Matt Hill presented Xavier Vidal with a chance for the hosts on 35 minutes, but the Rovers stopper was equal to his 20-yard strike.

On the stroke of half time Davies rushed out again to save bravely at the feet of Kabba as the Wings enjoyed the better of the first half.

Sraight after the break Welling keeper Tom King failed to deal with a Liam Ridehalgh corner and Maynard was on hand to nod the ball into the net.

United responded through George Porter but his low 30-yard drive was held by Davies.

Jay Harris almost put the visitors two up when his shot from the edge of the box flashed wide after Maynard teed him up.

Harris then turned hero at the other end when he nodded a Kevin Lokko header off the line with Davies beaten.

After Sutton received his marching orders, James Norword then went to ground in the penalty area under duress from Chambers but referee Craig Hicks wasn’t interested.

Tranmere looked set to pick up their first three points since August 18 until the late block-buster from Welling’s 19-year-old captain ensured the spoils were shared.

It was another disappointing result for Tranmere who once again failed to close out victory.

Manager Gary Brabin said:“Obviously I’m a little bit disappointed that we haven’t won the game.

"I’m feeling a little bit of anger at the moment with a couple of decisions leading to their goal. But it’s one of them, we need to bounce back.

“We felt all game the lad (Kabba) was getting wrong side of him (Sutton), not going for the ball, pushing our centre half. We strongly believe it wasn’t a sending off, but the longer the game went on we just felt that every 50/50 decision was going their way.

“Just before their goal, in all my years in football, I’ve never seen a fourth official with such enthusiasm to throw a football onto a pitch. The ball hadn’t even landed for a throw in and he’s throwing it back onto the pitch.

“I’ve said to the lads, when you’re coming in and you’re the big dog everyone fancies the underdog. It was disappointing.

“We went out in the second half, played on the front foot and I think we looked more dangerous only for the big decision of the game to go against us.

“We’ve got a good squad of players but that’s not to say that we won’t add to it as the season progresses.”

Match Stats

Welling United: 1 Corke 87

Tranmere Rovers: 1 Maynard 46

Half time: 0-0

Star man: Scott Davies (Tranmere Rovers)

Attendance: 1,012

Entertainment: 3/5

Ref rating: Craig Hicks (6/10)

Welling (4-2-3-1): King 6; Osborne 6, Chambers 6, Lokko 7 (Obafemi 81, 5), Jefford 5; Lee 6, Corne 8; Harris 5, Vidal 6, Porter 7, Kabba 6 (Adeyinka 82, 5).

Subs not used: McEntegart, Fagan, Wellard Tranmere (4-3-3): Davies 8; Ihiekwe 6, Sutton 8, Hogan 7, Hill 6; Harris 6, Jennings 6, Maynard 7, Ridehalgh 6, Mangan 6 (Holness 79, 6), Norwood 6.

Subs not used: Turner, Jackson, Stockton, Margetts