As preparations were underway for the firework display behind the goal in Danson Park, Jake Gallagher lit up Park View Road with the goal that pushed Welling United up to seventh place in the Skrill League Premier.

Both sides had opportunities early on, the first falling to in-form Lincoln striker Ben Tomlinson who was thwarted by the onrushing Welling custodian, Lee Butcher.

Joe Healy and Lee Clarke had chances for Welling before Gallagher touched a free kick to Healy who struck fiercely towards the bottom corner only to see a full stretch David Preece push his shot wide.

Preece made another fine save from Blaine Hudson’s header as he met Jack Obersteller’s deep right wing cross then Butcher was called into the action at the other end, making a flying save from Tomlinson’s header.

The game continued to go back and forth as Alex Dyer for Welling and Tomlinson for Lincoln both came close.

Clarke just failed to get onto the end of a Kiernan Hughes-Mason cross after good work by Kurtis Guthrie before Butcher saved well from Todd Jordan and Sean Newton curled a free kick wide to bring an entertaining first half came to a close.

Seven minutes into the second half, Gallagher scored the all important goal as he latched onto Healy’s perfect through ball and placed his shot just inside the far post.

Tomlinson should have done better shortly afterwards but headed wide from Newton’s cross but the game remained open and Guthrie had a shot saved by Preece.

Waide Fairhurst fired over for Lincoln then Fraser Franks had a header save by Preece at the other end.

The closest the Imps came to equalising was when Marlon Jackson’s free kick beat Butcher but clattered the outside of the far post.

Welling might have added a second in injury time but Healy’s goal-bound shot was headed wide by Andrew Boyce at the cost of a corner. It mattered little as Lincoln were unable to fashion another opening before the whistle blew for full time.

 

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Obersteller, Gallagher, Franks, Hudson, Dyer (Bergqvist 74), Clarke, Guthrie, Hughes-Mason (Lafayette 65), Healy.

Unused substitutes: Turner, Webb, Cargill.

Lincoln City: Preece, Miller, Newton, Jordan, Boyce, Power, Tomlinson, Dixon (Wright 75), Jackson, Brown, Foster (Fairhurst 62).

Unused substitutes: Sheridan, Gray, Nolan.

Referee: Richard Martin

Attendance: 746

Welling star man: Blaine Hudson

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.