Three first half goals were sufficient for league leaders Maidenhead United to see a below par Welling United off.

Dean Inman tried his luck early on with a speculative overhead shot that flew well over.

Then Dave Tarpey got in behind but the Magpies' hot shot fired wide.

In a rare foray forward, Welling created an opportunity when Alex Cathline showed good control to make space before he scuffed his shot wide.

Harry Pritchard then found himself clear down the left hand side but fired across the face of the goal.

After 21 minutes, Welling fell behind when Tarpey swung a corner into the middle and Inman met it with a simple header into the back of the net.

Looking for a quick equaliser, Rickie Hayles knocked down a Sam Hatton free kick but Harry Crawford was unable to hit the target with his stabbed effort.

Seven minutes after the first goal, Maidenhead scored again when Dan Walker allowed Rene Steer an easy way out and a quick break out allowed Sean Marks to play in Tarpey to finish with ease. In an attempt to stop Tarpey, Welling skipper Sean Francis injured himself and was replaced by Dean Leacock.

Marks then headed over from a Pritchard cross before Welling lost their other centre half to injury. Hayles had previously gone down under a heavy but un-penalised challenge. He tried to soldier on but after a few more minutes, he was replaced by Vas Karagiannis.

In the re-shuffle Danny Waldren dropped back to partner Leacock, Crawford went into midfield, Walker into a more central attacking position and Karagiannis on the right wing.

Chris Lewington made a great from Tarpey with his feet as the Magpies' leading scorer was sent clear then he made a more comfortable one from Pritchard.

Carl Pentney was called into action for the first time late in the first half but Walker's shot was from such an angle that he was never likely to score.

In injury time, the hosts added a third when Lewington punched a corner out but James Mulley was given time to drive in from the edge of the area.

After the break, Tarpey got in behind again but Lewington was out sharply to block then Pritchard had a sight of goal but smashed his effort high and wide.

Walker tried his luck from long distance but his well struck shot was saved comfortably by Pentney.

Sam Hatton then put a long free kick straight into the arms of the Maidenhead goalkeeper.

James Comley then had a chance but fired just wide as Welling struggled to keep the score down.

Once more, Tarpey got himself into a dangerous position but his shot was blocked by Dean Leacock when passing to Marks might have been more productive.

Pierre Joseph-Dubois, having come on as a substitute to play some football for the first time in six weeks, had a late chance for Welling but couldn't keep his clip under the bar.

Welling United: Lewington, Hatton, Brown, Fuseini, Hayles (Karagiannis 35), Francis (Leacock 29), Walker, Waldren, Kathline, Crawford, Murrell-Williamson (Joseph-Dubois 77). Subs not used: Richards, Amu.