Threadbare Welling United struggled to name a starting eleven at newly promoted Hungerford United.

Josh Jackson and Mason Walsh made their full league debuts for the Wings and Archie Johnson came in for just his fourth start.

In the opening minutes Ian Herring headed a James Clark corner over at the near post and that set the tone for most of the match.

Adam Coombes tested George Legg with a free kick that he held at the second attempt but that was to prove to be a very rare Welling attack.

Nicholas Bignall then got on the end of a route one attack but shot weakly at Chris Lewington.

Another corner caused chaos when Herring was left unmarked on the far side but Danny Waldren got across to make a good block.

Nat Jarvis then got in behind but shot wide of the near post.

Further pressure came when Luke Williams broke through to play in Jarvis but his shot was well saved by Lewington.

Clark then headed over before Lewington suffered an injury that needed lengthy treatment. Eventually, he was able to continue although Waldren had to take all his goal kicks for the rest of the match.

Rhys Tyler attempted a curler from twenty yards but got his geology wrong and it curled well away from the goal.

Bignall met another deep cross but the angle was too tight for him to find the target with his header.

Scott Rees had one last effort for Hungerford before the break but it flew well wide.

After the interval, Welling had to remain tight as Hungerford continued to launch long balls and throws at the Welling defence.

Matt Day missed a glorious chance but headed over when unmarked from one of those long throws, then Lewington had to be alert at the near post when a corner was flicked on.

Harvey Brand was introduced for his Welling debut in place of Walsh as the Wings tried to stem the flow but it was still one way traffic.

Rees had another effort but it was deflected wide with Lewington routed to the spot.

Herring fired another shot well wide before finally breaking the deadlock with nine minutes remaining.

In truth, Welling twice could have got it away but it came out to Herring and he blasted an unstoppable drive into the top corner from 30 yards.

Deep into injury time, Welling came close to scoring an unlikely equaliser. Johnson connected sweetly with a low drive that went through a crowd of bodies but Legg remained vigilant and held on to the ball, and with it all three points.

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Braham-Barrett, Hatton, Waldren, Leacock, Walsh (Brand 60), Fuseini, Jackson, Coombes, Johnson. Subs not used: Agu, Smith, Francis, Nanetti.