Woking fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Southend United in the National League, with Liam Dulson's late penalty cancelling out an Aiden O'Brien strike. The match at Kingfield Stadium on Tuesday saw the Cards claim a point after trailing for most of the second half, a result that comes as the club looks to build on a 10th-place finish in the 2025 season.
Southend United took the lead in the 38th minute through Aiden O'Brien. Woking goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen was called into action several times in the first half to keep the scoreline respectable. The home side struggled to create clear chances until the hour-mark, when manager Joe Duncan made a tactical change that shifted the momentum.
Woking's persistence was finally rewarded in the 88th minute. A foul in the box gave the Cards a penalty, which Liam Dulson calmly converted to level the score. Jake Forster-Caskey had earlier come close with a free-kick, but it was Dulson's spot-kick that earned the share of the points. The match report was supplied by PA Media and carried by the BBC.
The draw continues a mixed run for Woking, whose recent form reads LWDWD. They finished the 2025 National League campaign in 10th position, accumulating 63 points from 46 games with a record of 16 wins, 15 draws, and 15 losses. Their goal difference of +15, built on 69 goals scored and 54 conceded, was a positive aspect of their season, though they ended 45 points behind champions York City.
This context is important for understanding the team's current phase. The club will be aiming to improve on that mid-table finish when the new season gets underway.
Liam Dulson was the obvious hero for Woking, showing composure to slot home the crucial late penalty. His intervention turned one point into a tangible reward for the team's second-half effort. Goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen also played a significant role with important saves, particularly in the first half when Southend were on top.
For the visitors, Aiden O'Brien's well-taken goal in the 38th minute looked like it might be enough for all three points. Harry Cardwell was a constant physical presence for Southend, causing problems for the Woking defence throughout the contest. The midfield battle between Jake Forster-Caskey and his counterparts was a feature of the game.
The immediate focus shifts to preparation for the next fixture. The squad will analyse this performance, looking at areas where they can convert draws into wins. Manager Joe Duncan will have decisions to make regarding selection and tactics based on the contributions he saw against Southend.
Fans can check the upcoming schedule on our dedicated fixtures page to see when the team is next in action. The point gained keeps Woking in a reasonable position as they work through their pre-season preparations, with the aim of starting the new league campaign strongly. The team's next training session is scheduled for Thursday morning at the Kingfield Stadium complex.
