WELLING United went into the game at Sutton United knowing that victory against their already relegated hosts would take them very close to guaranteed safety.
Earlier in the week, Sutton appointed Jimmy Dack as their new manager and his players were out to impress him.
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With this in mind, and the fact Sutton could play with freedom having already been relegated, this would have made Wings boss Andy Ford wary.
The visitors started lethargically and following some sloppy defending Sutton took the lead on 12 minutes.
Their top scorer Craig Dundas was given too much freedom and was able to stab the ball over Jamie Turner into the roof of the net.
Welling should have been awarded a penalty 10 minutes later when Alan Bray fouled Orlando Smith just inside the corner of the area.
Referee John Magill somehow deemed the offence to be outside the area and awarded no more than a free-kick.
His decision did not prove costly, however, as Robbie Ryan curled his shot over the hapless Phil Wilson and into the top corner of the net for his first goal in Welling colours.
Smith continued to cause the home defence difficulties and having engineered a chance for himself, he dragged his shot wide.
On 41 minutes, Leon Soloman drew a superb save from Wilson low to his right with Smith and Joe Howe unable to turn the loose ball home.
Soloman came close twice more at the start of the second half when first his shot was deflected onto the crossbar and then his header from a corner bounced back off the same part of the woodwork.
With the wind now in their favour, Welling dominated the second half and Ford brought on Ellis Green for Michael Kamara as they sought the crucial second goal.
After screwing another shot wide, Smith received a pass from Sam Gargan after he had held up possession well and found space for his long pass.
Smith cut inside, dummied to shoot twice, and then rolled a shot past the wrong-footed Wilson and into the back of the net.
The Wings players celebrated with their travelling supporters, well aware of what an important goal it was.
Sutton offered little from then on and a Gargan shot over, followed by a Sonny Cobbs header into the arms of Wilson, demonstrated how much Welling were on top.
In the final minute, Bray's frustration proved too much and a vicious kick on Green gave the referee no option other than to send him off.
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