Weakened Welling United bounced back from successive Vanarama National League South defeats to beat Torquay United.

Rod Stringer’s team had gone three games without a win and they had suffered a home defeat for the first time with him as manager seven days earlier. Consequently the victory against the full time Gulls, who started the day in second place in the division, was much needed.

Daniel Martin and Martell Taylor-Crossdale were added to Stringer’s mounting injury list so Anointed Chukwu and Leyton Orient loanee, Charlie Pegrum were given starts, the latter being a full debut.

Pegrum had the first goal attempt, after a cagey start, when his shot was deflected just beyond the far post for a corner. However, when it was delivered, it was the visitors who came close to opening the scoring. A quick clearance allowed Cody Cooke to burst away and fire early. Welling’s in form goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett, was equal to it, though, and made a good diving save.

Chukwu then had a shot for the Wings but the angle was against him and James Hamon, the Gulls’ goalkeeper, held it comfortably.

Cooke thought that he had given the visitors the lead late in the first half when he netted from close range after flicking on a long throw in and getting on the end of a rebound. However, his joy was cut short by an offside flag. Roddy Collins had one last effort for Torquay in the fist half when his low volley flew wide.

Again, there was a slow start when play recommenced after the break. The visitors then went close twice in a few minutes. Lirak Hasani sized up a shot and struck it well only to see it come back out off the post. Then they won a corner and Cooke’s close range header was pushed onto the bar by Lovett’s brilliant reaction save.

After that, Welling’s movement and accurate passing pushed the visitors back. Chukwu created a couple of half chances before Elliot Long was denied by a great save by Hamon after his low shot from the edge of the area had appeared to be destined for the bottom corner.

New signing David Carty was then brought on for his Welling debut, giving the hard working Chukwu a break, and the Wings continued to ask the questions.

Eight minutes remained when they got their reward. A good team passing move allowed Gene Kennedy to find Long down the right. He got to the bye-line and cut back before his low left footed cross picked out Pegrum at the near post and he bundled it home.

There was no response from the visitors and Welling made the points safe when they added a second. Reece Grant, who had only just come on as a substitute, was tackled by Moxey. However, the Torquay defender showed a lack of urgency and Grant nicked it . He then waited for Kennedy’s run before laying it into his path and the Wings’ midfielder allowed Hamon to commit himself before clipping it over him and into the net.

Next Saturday, Welling have a tricky FA Cup tie at home to Chatham Town so the return to winning ways couldn’t have come at a better time.

Welling United: Lovett, Burchell, Wells, A. Grant, Perkins (Mensah 78), Winfield, Pegrum (R. Grant 90+1), Kennedy, Chukwu (Carty 73), Long, Bramble. Subs not used: Munns, Andrews.