Heavy rain was the winner of the game between Dover Athletic and Welling United early in January causing an abandonment and when they eventually reconvened, it was again in awful continual rain.

There was little let up throughout the evening but this time there was no torrential downpours to flood the pitch.

Things could not have been much better for Welling early on and they went ahead within a minute. Michael Bakare dispossessed Tyrone Sterling before picking his spot and curling into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Confidence oozed through the side and Bakare had another opportunity but this time dragged his shot beyond the far post.

Noah Chesmain struck a free kick that deflected off the top of the wall and over then Reece Harris tested Mitch Walker from distance.

Luke Wanadio then broke through but Walker got down well to make the crucial save.

Failure to build on their lead proved fatal as Dover equalised soon after.

Ricky Modeste struck wide on the half volley before the hosts equalised.

A defence stretching run by Ricky Miller ended with him firing in a low cross that was turned in at the near post by Stefan Payne.

From that point until the end of the first half, Dover enjoyed the greater share of possession and might have scored again when Modeste headed over after clever footwork and a cross from Payne.

Just before the break, Marek Rodak did well to beat out a ferocious Nicky Deverdics free kick.

Five minutes into the second period, Dover went ahead. Deverdics corner was met by a powerful header by Sean Raggett at the near post and Rodak was given no chance.

It took Welling some time to come to terms with what had happened but Dover were happy to keep a good shape and look to hit Welling on the break.

Nortei Nortey came close with a first time shot at the far post but Payne was able to turn his effort round for another corner.

Walker punched a corner out and it hit substitute Sahr Kabba and flew wide but Welling were unable to create anything clear cut against a Dover defence that had twice had to reshuffle as injuries to centre half Tyrone Sterling and left back Liam Bellamy caused them to make changes.

Victory for Dover leaves them in a great position to challenge for a play-off place. However, another defeat for Welling means they are in dire danger of relegation.

 

Dover Athletic: Walker, Magri, Bellamy (Marsh 62), Raggett, Sterling (Kinnear 17), Orlu, Modeste, Parkinson, Miller (Crawford 84), Payne, Deverdics.

Unused substitutes: Kinnear, Diallo, Crawford, Pinnock.

Goals : Payne ( 23 ), Raggett ( 50 )

Booked : Orlu, Magri

 

Welling United: Welling United: Rodak, Williams, Chesmain, Kargbo, Gayle, Lokko, Wanadio (Daniel 85), Nortey, Bakare (Adeloye 66), Kasket (Kabba 78), Harris.

Unused substitutes: Taylor, Vidal.

Goal : Michael Bakare (1)

Booked : Williams, Gayle

 

Referee: Nigel Lugg

Assistants: Gary Jerden & Neil West

4^th Official: David Spain

 

Attendance: 726

Man of the match : Stefan Payne

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.