Any hopes that Welling United might have harboured that Dover Athletic would be distracted proved futile.

Despite their imminent F.A. Cup tie with Crystal Palace, the Whites extended their unbeaten run with a comfortable New Year's Day victory at Park View Road.

In the early stages, Connor Essam hooked over before leading scorer Stefan Payne did likewise from closer range.

Barry Cogan then had an opportunity but failed to hit the target after Payne got behind the defence.

Aristide Bassele fired over following a flowing move from the back that ended when Joe Healy created the opening.

Healy broke through again but his deflected shot was blocked out to Jake Gallagher. The Welling captain hit a fierce drive first time but it fizzed just over.

Cogan had a goal-bound shot blocked by Jamal Fyfield before Essam and Healy both earned bookings for poor tackles.

Early in the second period, the industry of Charlie Penny embarrassed Tom Bonner and the centre back pulled him back as he looked to bear down on goal. Referee Rob Whitton decided that a caution was sufficient punishment.

Payne had a close range shot deflected wide then Jonathan Henly's clearance was charged down by Payne and rebounded into the outside netting although Fyfield was covering should it have gone the other side of the post.

62 minutes had passed when the deadlock was broken. An attempted clearance from a corner struck Sean Raggett and rebounded into the net.

Richard Orlu did well to clear a Ben Jefford cross then substitute Kieron St. Aimie had a shot deflected wide for a corner.

Another poorly cleared corner resulted in Dover doubling their lead when Cogan fired home off the post.

Penny almost pulled a goal back immediately, but his shot went just the wrong side of the faar post.

Jefford finally registered a shot on target with a long range shot that Andrew Rafferty dived to claim but the visitors finished strongly.

Essam's header looped over and Tom Wynter nodded wide as the Whites looked to add a third.

Substitute James Poole, on loan from Bury, then fired over and Liam Bellamy shot wide.

While Dover had the ideal preparation for their big cup game, Welling manager Jody Brown will be delighted when he can add to his squad following the opening of the transfer window.

Welling United: Henly, Corne, Jefford, Gallagher, Bush, Fyfield, Bassele, Fagan, Penny, Hudson, Healy. Unused substitutes: Buchel, Ouani, Kiassos, Taylor.