IN his last match in the role of Welling United caretaker manager, Lee Protheroe led by example with a committed performance from right back in front of manager-in-waiting Jamie Day.

Tony Finn, a constant threat, worked space for an early shot which he drove over the crossbar before a delightful Lee Clarke pass gave him another chance, which was well smothered by Ben Hinchliffe, the Worcester goalkeeper.

After Hinchliffe had saved a further Finn effort, Welling had to make a change when Ryan Johnson was unable to run off an injury and was replaced by Andy Sambrook.

Welling’s next opportunity arose as Michael Deane burst through and shot narrowly over with Hinchliffe well beaten.

Tom Kemp blasted wildly over in a rare Worcester attack but Welling looked the more dangerous and Clarke glanced a header just wide from an inch perfect Finn cross.

The final opening of the first half fell to Worcester when Clarke’s pass rebounded off the referee to completely wrong-footed the defence allowing Alfie Carter a run at goal.

Carter failed to trouble Welling’s custodian Charlie Mitten.

In fact, the hosts failed to muster a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

Worcester made a re-shuffle at half time replacing the ineffective veteran Marc McGregor with Gary Walker but the changes made little impact.

Matt Birley received the only caution of the match for an untidy challenge on Sambrook as Worcester struggled to make an impression.

United finally went ahead in the 55th minute.

Tommy Whitnell’s intelligent knock down from Finn’s excellent cross found Jack Parkinson with time and space to net from 10 yards out.

Finn continued to cause problems and Welling almost doubled their lead when his pass released Clarke whose side foot shot was saved easily by Hinchliffe.

Despite being behind, Worcester still proved little threat and the Wings had another opportunity when Adrian Stone headed just wide from a Loui Fazakerley cross.

Even Mitten’s first save did not come out of any Worcester creativity.

A scuffed back pass by Graeme Andrews allowed Matt Dinsmore to advance on goal but Mitten made himself big and blocked the effort with his legs.

A foul on Fazakerley presented Welling with another opportunity but when Deane’s free-kick came back off the defensive wall, Finn’s shot failed to find the target.

Against the run of play, Worcester finally fashioned a chance of their own making and it took a brilliant save from Mitten to keep out Craig Wilding’s shot.

Sam Hurrell was introduced as a late substitute for the visitors and his mazy run opened up the Worcester defence, but his 20 yard effort went just wide of the far post.

Even though there were six minutes of added time, Welling’s defensive work was epitomised by a fine piece of sweeping up by Andrews which ensured there were no late alarms.

Welling United: Mitten, Protheroe, Deane, Johnson (Sambrook 20), Parkinson, Andrews, Whitnell (Gaisie 88), Clarke, Stone, Finn, Fazakerley (Hurrell 84). Subs not used: Bakare, Hobbs.