WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson is adamant performances will improve following the unspectacular 1-1 draw with Welling United.

Ben Thomson’s first-half opener, following a defensive blunder, was cancelled out by Kain Adom’s well-taken goal in the second half.

It gave Welling only their fifth point from a possible 21 on the road this season, while Weymouth moved up to 17th and have only been beaten once in eight games.

However, with few clear chances created in blustery conditions and on a heavy pitch, those statistics may not silence Weymouth’s critics, who argue on-pitch displays have been found wanting in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Weymouth 1-1 Welling United - report

Appearing conscious of the need to entertain the Terras’ home faithful, Wilkinson told Echosport: “They had some chances and we had some chances, let’s not lie.

“Our keeper pulled off two worldies and their keeper made two saves. That’s where you are, if you can’t take the chances, make sure you don’t lose the game.

“We’ve got to just keep working extremely hard.

“I’ve got to keep reminding everyone that we’ve lost one (league) game since September. It’s one defeat in eight games.

“We’re going to have to keep digging in and grinding out results because we can only get better as the season goes on.

“We’re all disappointed because we didn’t get a result. We believe we should be beating Welling.”

Wilkinson fielded two debutants in goalkeeper Jared Thompson and midfielder Ben Winterburn, on loan from Bournemouth.

And Thompson was viewed by many onlookers as the man of the match, having made two superb saves to stave off a spell of Welling pressure.

“He shouldn’t be playing at this level,” Wilkinson admitted.

“When I heard Jared had left Denmark I was straight on the phone, I went to meet him and got him in.

“That’s the hard work I’m doing behind the scenes and hopefully people are recognising that. It’s not always about results, it’s about where the club’s going forward.

“He’s a brilliant goalkeeper. You can give him man of the match because of the saves, he did make two world-class saves, so if we give him man of the match I’ll take that all day.

“We’ll say as a group how brilliant it is to get him in and he got us a point.”

Expanding on the recall to Brighton of Thompson’s predecessor, Hugo Fisher, Wilkinson said: “He was a youth loan and I had the opportunity to bring in Jared.

“Hugo did absolutely outstanding and I gave him an unbelievable reference back to Brighton. We’re trying to build where we’re going.

“Jared’s long-term, he’s here until Christmas for definite. It gives Gez (Benfield) some competition now as well.”

Charlie Rowan and Elliott Bolton were left out of the squad to face Welling, but Wilkinson revealed that decision was in preparation to face Bath City on Tuesday (7.45pm).

On the duo, he added: “We’ve left him to stay fresh. We’ve looked at it with two games, and the conditions, with heavy legs, we’ve done it for a purpose.

“He’ll come into the squad on Tuesday and we’re just trying something different than last year.

“Elliott will come back in, they’re both fit and ready to play. We’ve learned from last year.

“We’ll freshen up the defence and can Thommo play two games? Everything we’re doing is planning for the future to make sure we’re ready.”