LOUI Fazakerley struck five minutes from time to earn Welling victory over Lewes yesterday in a game where both sides missed first half penalties.

Due to suspensions to Adam Sambrook and Steve King, caretaker boss Lee Protheroe was forced to include himself in the starting line up against a Lewes side who included ex-Charlton defender Anthony Barness in their team.

The Wings started well and came close to opening the scoring when brilliant wing play by Anthony Finn set up a chance for Fazakerley.

Although his first shot was beaten out by keeper Rikki Banks, he looked like netting at the second attempt but his effort was well-blocked by Chris Breach.

Welling came even closer when, from a short corner, Protheroe’s deep cross was met by Jack Parkinson who headed against the outside of the post.

Birthday boy Michael Deane then tested Banks with a long shot before both teams had great opportunities.

First, clever play by Deane and Finn allowed Tommy Whitten to play in Dean Cracknell, who was clattered by Banks for a clear cut penalty.

Banks was lucky to escape a yellow card but did not need good fortune to make a fine save from Cracknell’s spot kick.

Lewes then had a penalty of their own when Protheroe upended Danny Royce, but Charlie Mitten’s save from Royce’s effort was even better and parity was restored.

Cracknell had the only other real chance of the first half but his deflected effort was saved by Banks.

Welling continued to have the better of play in the second half but struggled to open up their visitors.

Finn made a couple of openings first by chasing an apparent lost cause but getting a cross in which Whitnell headed over, and then by hitting a long shot which was spilled by Banks, only for Cracknell to strike high over the bar.

Cracknell’s game was over soon after when he was stretchered off after an unfortunate collision with team mate Parkinson.

Sam Hurrell came on as replacement.

After Protheroe had made an important block, Deane was able to get in a teasing cross which was scrambled over the bar by Breach and the corner which followed by Fazakerley was headed over by Jake Hobbs.

Welling finally went ahead on 85 minutes.

Finn crossed low and when Banks failed to claim cleanly, Adrian Stone forced the ball back to Fazakerley and he fired into the top corner.

Banks again escaped a card when he bundled Fazakerley over as he broke through looking to make the game safe.

Deep into injury time, Welling had a let off when Parkinson appeared to have fouled Andy Pearson in the Wings’ area.

The Lewes players were so incensed they surrounded the referee, resulting in four of them being booked.

Ryan Storrie continued his complaints after the final whistle and was shown a second yellow and then a red card.

Welling United: Mitten, Protheroe, Deane, Johnson, Parkinson, Andrews, Fazakerley, Cracknell (Hurrell 74), Stone (Clarke 89), Finn, Whitnell (Hobbs 72). Subs not used: Bakare, Gaisie.