Welling United claimed another huge three points towards their goal of survival with a 1-0 victory over Dover Athletic on Good Friday.
Riccardo Di Trolio’s second-half header was enough to claim the win as the Wings somewhat laboured to the finish line in DA16, condemning their opponents to relegation along the way.
The first half of action proved to be a somewhat scrappy affair, although it was the Wings who enjoyed the best of it, looking the better side.
Jason Adigun threatened on more than one occasion with efforts from distance, but could not hit the target, while he also got on the end of a pull-back inside the box but saw his shot well blocked.
The best chance of the half came when David Amoo slipped in Reece Grant, who rolled a cool effort inches past the left upright with the keeper well beaten.
At the other end, Dover’s only real threat came on 36 minutes when Nick Dembele turned well before bounding into the box with just Reice Charles-Cook to beat, but the Wings stopper stood firm.
Just before the half-time whistle, Welling came close via Lachlan Byrd who sent a well-measured, cushioned volley dipping narrowly over the crossbar and the sides would head for the changing rooms on level terms.
The Wings continued to dominate after the break but were being left frustrated with that killer touch in the final third evading them.
Amoo saw a low shot saved at the near post before a defender narrowly avoided an own goal when he hacked the loose ball over his own bar.
The hosts had all the possession but couldn’t find that penetrating final ball and nearly came unstuck when a golden opportunity fell to Dover at the other end on 68 minutes.
Lachlan Byrd came to the rescue, making a vital block as the last line of defence to keep out John Oyenuga who looked certain to score.
With the clock ticking over into the 72nd minute, the hosts came close through Reece Grant, who was denied at the near post, but from the resulting corner, the deadlock would finally be broken.
A delivery was swung in from the right and Di Trolio arrived to head home at the far post to give the Wings the lead, much to the relief of the Park View Road faithful.
That was all Welling would need to claim the three points that would thrust them into 16th position in the league table, seven points clear of drop zone with five games left to play.
Next up is an Easter Monday trip to Maidstone United.
Welling United: Charles-Cook, Johnson (Green 64), Byrd, Ellul, Di Trolio, Lema, A Grant, Adigun, Papadopoulos, Amoo (Kennedy 56), R Grant (Roscrow 75).
Subs (not used): Burchell, Munns.
Booked: Di Trolio 90+2 (time wasting) Lema 90+4 (time wasting)
Goal: Di Trolio 72
Dover Athletic: Rowley, Charles-Cook (Wilkinson 79), Oliver, Nikaj, Akehurst, Naylor, Mensah, Young (Stewart 82), Dembele, Oyenuga (Garrett 88), Holding.
Subs (not used): Drakes-Thomas, Baptiste.
Booked: Young 40 (foul)
Referee: Lisa Benn
Att: 839
