Warren Patmore's header equalised Jae Martin's early strike to give Yeovil a 1-1 draw against Conference strugglers Welling United. The performance didn't match some recent showings, so this will be viewed as a small setback in the team rebuilding.

Only the late withdrawal due to injury of Terry Skiverton denied Yeovil a fourth consecutive start with the same eleven, and Dean Chandler was promoted to the line-up. The correspondingly weakened defence had its first test in the opening minute or so, and it failed that test. A corner was not cleared convincingly, and as the ball came out to Danny Chapman he hit a stunning volley goalwards, being very unlucky to see the ball come back off the underside of the bar. But Welling still took the lead, as Jae Martin was the fastest to the rebound, and Welling were ahead.

This was nowhere near as bad as the corresponding tie last season, when Hanlon caused the Glovers all sorts of trouble, but the home side weren't as convincing as in other games since Dave Webb took over. Today's two most impressive Welling playerscombined to create the chance that should have put them two up; diminutive winger (and mouthy little ----) Steve Barnes opened up Yeovil with a cross from the right that Leon Braithwaite met ahead of David Piper and Dean Chandler, only to put his shot over the bar.

	Andy Lindegaard, most promising of the newly-introduced youngsters.

The main threat created by Yeovil came from set pieces, and Paul Wilkerson in the Welling goal dealt well with the in-swinging corners. One great improvement to the side in the last month or so has been the quality of crosses, from Lindegaard in particular. And it was such a ball from him that created the equaliser. Jamie Pitman did well to win the ball in midfield, played it wide to Lindegaard, whose cross was perfect for Warren Patmore to head home.

"It's behind you!" The ball nestles in the net after Warren Patmore gives Yeovil an equaliser.

Neither side created any more of note in the first half, and it seemed like only a gift from the opposition would give either side the lead. That gift fell to Warren Patmore, as Paul Wilkerson took a divot out of the Huish Park turf attempting a clearance. The divot reached well into Yeovil's half, but the ball fell weakly to Patmore. However, he failed to accept the gift, firing straight at the keeper.

Yeovil added a third striker to play, in an attempt to force more openings. James Bent took to the field, replacing Matt Hale. But this left the midfield a bit short, and Yeovil started to bypass that part of the pitch. Hoofing the ball up to Patmore works well when he's on top, but Russell Edwards was on hand to clear more often than not. So the game fizzled out for Yeovil, and although Welling pushed on late into the game, they never really created much, and that was that.

	Barrington Belgrave, on loan from Plymouth Argyle.

Worrying for Yeovil will be the balance this afternoon. Most attacks were down the right, where Lindegaard and Piper combined well. But Hale and Tonkin were less effective on the left. I still think Tonkin has promise, but this is the second game on the trot where he's found life difficult. Hale was less effective than he has been, though Webb said after the match that the player had been suffering with a stiff back.

The manager, interviewed on BBC Radio Bristol, cited a lack of 'devilment' as a problem. He went on to explain this term as meaning that Yeovil players weren't prepared to take enough risks in the game, and that (like Welling), they played too safe.

Results and updated table

above: wilkerson dealt well, for the most part, with Yeovil's crosses. However, he doesn't seem to be the only keen to get fist to ball ;-)

above: but he missed this one. Lindegaard's corner went agonisingly across the face of the goal and out for a goal-kick.

above: patmore gets in a second half header, but this one went over.