Ten-man Hampton & Richmond Borough pushed Welling United all the way at the Beveree and certainly didn't get what they deserved following a frustrating afternoon, writes Daryn McCleave.

The game hinged on an incident in the 26th minute which saw Beavers centre-back Orlando Jeffrey dismissed and a penalty awarded, which Wings midfielder Lee Clarke duly despatched beyond Matt Lovett.

Whether it was a foul is one debate, the other talking point was whether Louis Chambers was in an offside position when running through on goal to be allegedly clipped by Jeffrey, leaving referee Mr Pottage, once awarding the foul, no option than to show the red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

That was one of a number of decisions that the Beavers felt didn't go their way, and as is often the case, when you're down the bottom and your luck's out, then your luck's out.

Boss Alan Devonshire once again had to make changes, although on paper it was the strongest side he had fielded for some time.

A debut at right wing-back for Crystal Palace loanee Charlie Holness, whilst another npower Championship loan man, Pat O'Connor, made his third "debut" for the side after returning again from Millwall.

A tentative opening period saw United's danger man Louis Fazackerly hit the side netting from 20 yards, while O'Connor jumped highest but couldn't direct his header low enough from Dean Wells floated free-kick.

A last ditch tackle from Wells stopped Cumbers in his stride, before another Wells free-kick found the Ian Hodges, who improvised with a cheeky back header that had visiting 'keeper Mitchell Walker worried.

But then came the incident that changed the game in the Wings' favour. With Fazackerly's ball through for Cumbers looking like it could possibly attract a linesman's flag, Jeffrey began the chase back.

Sticking out a foot in a last ditch attempt to stop the shot, Cumbers went to ground with Mr Pottage pointing to the spot with Jeffrey claiming he had got something on the ball.

The red card followed, and Clarke sent Lovett the wrong way with a clinical strike from twelve yards.

Reverting to a flat back four instead of the favoured five, the Beavers tried to maintain an attacking impetus in the game, O'Connor working hard in midfield to offer the defence some protection whilst looking to add some attacking flair.

Hampton had their own shouts for a penalty waved away for an alleged foul on Craig Tanner but Mr Pottage continued to infuriate the home fans.

But the visitors almost added a second towards the end of the half, a speculative effort from Jamie Day 30 yards out well watched by Lovett who tipped over.

Devonshire resisted temptation to change things at the break, and the Beavers almost repaid the faith, looking to get at Welling from the off in the second period, a sustained amount of pressure resulting in O'Connor firing a low effort against the near post following excellent work by Dave Tarpey on the right.

The Wings though remained a threat, Andy Pugh testing Lovett before Tanner's pressure saw Fazackerly head wide.

Tarpey was next to try his luck, a run and shot that bounced over the bar, Tanner then deleivering a teasing cross but no home forward was there to meet it.

Tanner's throw was then flicked on by Hodges for sub Lawrence Yaku whose low shot brought smart reactions from Walker.

Hodges then looped a header just over as Hampton belied the fact they were a man short. Cumbers then reminded Hampton there was defensive work to be done, his effort well held by Lovett, and the Beavers stopper then used his legs to thwart Pugh.

The Beavers fought in vain in the closing stages to find the breakthrough, but they just couldn't get their just rewards as Welling left Beveree with all three points, having been made to work by a Hampton performance which, should it be repeated in Tuesday night's now huge encounter with Lewes at Beveree (7.45pm), will surely see all three points and a move out of the Blue Square Bet South's dreaded relegation zone.

HAMPTON; Lovett, Holness, Tanner, Jeffrey, Inman, Wells, Collier, Simmonds (sub 84, Moone), Hodges, Tarpey (sub 71, Yaku), O'Connor. SUBS NOT USED: Rochester, Lette Jallow, Matthews.

BOOKED; Hodges.

MAN OF MATCH; Dean Inman. Superb at the back, didn't miss a thing. Pat O'Connor also deserves a mention for tireless work in midfield.

REFEREE; Mr M. Pottage.

ATT; 429.