A DRAMATIC late strike from John Marquis secured a young Millwall side victory against a spirited Welling United at Park View Road last night.

The game looked destined for a draw before Marquis put the young Lions ahead for the third time in the 88th minute to finally see off the Wings in the final pre-season game before Saturday’s campaign opener for both sides.

Millwall started brightly and took the lead as early as the 16th minute when Ali Suseini was allowed too much space and time on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful drive across the Welling goal and into the bottom corner. The Lions continued to enjoy the best of the chances and should have doubled their advantage in the 31st minute.

Slack defending by Michael Deane allowed Ashley Grimes to nip in and round the keeper, only to see a certain goal blocked by Greaeme Andrews with some last-ditch defending.

However, it was Welling who bossed the latter stages of the half and managed to pull level with their first real chance.

A pinpoint cross from the left hand side by Ben Greenhalgh found an un-marked Jeff Minton, who made no mistake by converting a powerful header from three yards out.

It was again Millwall who started the strongest after the interval and they were back in front with only 10 minutes played of the second period.

The lively Kieran Hughes-Mason brought the Wings keeper into action when his save from Hughes-Mason only found its way across the goalmouth for a simple tap in for Marc Laird.

Both sides continued to create chances throughout the half but it wasn’t until the 73rd minute before either could muster another goal, with Welling again equalising.

The Lions defence was again breached after good play down the left wing by Sam Hurrell, whose low cross eventually fell to the feet of the impressive Jake Hobbs and he slotted home past John Sullivan in the Millwall goal.

Welling had bravely fought back twice and looked to have done enough to secure an impressive draw until Millwall ruined the celebrations late on.

Hughes-Mason again found space on the wing before sending a low ball across the box to find Marquis who kept his composure to lift his shot over the on-rushing Wings keeper, this time leaving Welling no time to reply.