Having failed to collect a point on the road in five away outings, Welling United put in an outstanding team performance to win at second placed Gateshead.
Both teams started cagily however Josh Gillies turned and shot wide from outside the area early on for the hosts.
Returning goalkeeper Tom King demonstrated why he was back in the team with a vital save from Ryan Bowman before Welling came close.
Xavier Vidal was given room on the right hand side of the area, but fired over.
It wasn’t long before Vidal was given another opportunity to have a shot at goal. A crude foul on the excellent George Porter on the edge of the penalty area presented Welling with a free kick. Vidal beat the wall, but his shot came back off the woodwork before rebounding in off the hapless Sam Russell.
Six minutes later, and still before the half hour mark, Vidal doubled the Wings’ lead with a fine strike as a picked up a half clearance.
Nortei Nortey, on his full Welling United debut, shot just wide with Russell struggling.
Disappointing defending let Gateshead back into the game. Nathan Buddle was allowed a free header from Josh Gillies’ corner and he gave King no chance with a firm header.
Despite the boost, Gateshead struggled to open Welling up and James Marwood was reduced to a difficult shot from an acute angle that drifted wide,
King was called into action again just before the break, saving well from Jamie Chandler.
Once again, Vidal proved difficult for Gateshead to stop, and another effort went just wide.
Home advantage proved little help and Gateshead manager made, Malcolm Crosby, all three substitutions in an attempt to change things.
Kevin Lokko was imperious at the back and didn’t miss a single header as Gateshead ran out of ideas.
Unsurprisingly, the Welling management team were delighted. Manager Loui Fazakerley said “It’s been a very tough period for us. We’ve been playing very very well. Today we’ve got two goals and got the win we’ve been looking for.”
“We’ve come here on two previous times and put in some great performances and came away with a point each time. Today we’ve gone one better.”
Gateshead: Russell, Baxter, Buddle, Ramsden (Mafuta 59), Pattison, Clark, Gillies (Shaw 57), Chandler, Marwood, Phillips (Ramshaw 74), Bowman.
Unused substitutes: MacDonald, Cranston.
Welling United: King, Nortey, Jefford, Lee, Chambers, Lokko, Corne, Vidal, Porter, Wellard, Harris.
Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Taylor, Awotwi, Obafemi, Johnson.
Referee: Ryan Johnson
Assistants: Barry Lamb and David Fisher
4th Official: Dean Hulme
Welling star man: Xavier Vidal
Attendance: 822
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.