Ricky Wellard’s last-minute header against his former club saw Wealdstone grab a 1-0 victory over Welling United in a tight encounter at Grosvenor Vale last night.

The win keeps the Stones in 12th position but has moved them to within points of the National League South play-offs.

Bobby Wilkinson made two changes to the side that thumped Billericay Town 5-2 in the FA Trophy quarter-final. Reagan Ogle and Eddie Oshodi made way for the cup-tied pair of Marcus Johnson-Schuster and Ian Gayle, with the latter joining the Stones from Welling midway through the season. There was also a place on the bench for young forward Dylan Kearney, who has been impressing at Uxbridge this season.

The game was an evenly contested affair throughout and enjoyed its fair share of chances.

Matty Whichelow had the first opportunity, beating Wings keeper Bailey Vose to the ball but just toe-poking it across the face of goal.

Welling had their best chance of the game on 28 minutes as Anthony Acheampong saw his effort cleared off the line by Sam Cox and then Jack Parkinson saw his rebound result in the same outcome thanks to Mustafa Tiryaki.

Whichelow had the ball in the net a minute later after Tiryaki picked him out with a well delivered cross but the linesman ruled it out for offside.

Billericay hat-trick hero Bradley Bubb then came close to adding to his tally, heading straight at Vose from close range from a Whichelow cross.

Both sides repeated Bubb’s effort early in the second half. Durojaiye Olumide shot straight at Jonathan North and Glenn Wilson headed directly at Vose.

Iffy Allen and David Pratt were both introduced from the bench, with Pratt almost putting Stones into an 83rd-minute lead but he volleyed Jerome Okimo’s cross just over the bar.

But just when the game looked destined to finish in a stalemate, Wellard glanced a perfect header across the face of goal into the far corner in injury time.

The visitors almost responded when Callum Driver's 30-yard effort went just wide of North's post but it was to be Wealdstone's night.

Wealdstone: North, Johnson-Schuster, Okimo, Gayle, Wilson, Cox, Whichelow (Allen 61), Wellard, Tiryaki (Pratt 61), Green, Bubb (Kearney 76). Subs not used: Day, Fitchett.