Oscar Gobern’s late goal won the game for Dover Athletic but it was harsh on Welling United.

Although the result is not the most important matter in a pre-season friendly, Dover will use their win as a morale boost.

They went ahead in the opening minutes but it was far from being against the run of play when Welling levelled and the hosts will have felt that they deserved at least a draw.

Former Welling winger Nassim L’Ghoul, playing on the right side of the front three, put the whites ahead with less than three minutes on the board. A knock down fell into his path and he shot powerfully into the roof of the net.

Anthony Cook just failed to pick out new signing Josh Oyinsan with a cross before changing wings and getting on the end of a Sanchez Ming centre but Yusuf Mersin made a comfortable save.

L’Ghoul headed wide for Dover but Welling were soon on the attack again and Cook got in behind only for Mersin to make a good save.

Oyinsan headed wide from an Archie Johnson corner before Dan Wilks saved L’Ghoul’s free kick.

Once more, L’Ghoul caused problems when he held off Montel Agyemang but his shot was saved by Wilks. Then Kurtis Cumberbatch spun tightly for Dover but shot wide.

Wilks was again called into action when saving well at close range as Sean Rigg met Josh Passley’s cross then Jack Munns fired well wide from L’Ghoul’s lay back as Dover finished the first half strongly.

However, after the break, Welling had a fantastic opportunity. Julien Anua picked out Cook and substitute goalkeeper Lee Worgan made a stunning save. It came out to Oyinsan but his attempt to find the top corner went just the other side of the post.

Substitute Alfie Pavey thought that he might have been in business but Jay Rich-Baghuelou made a great block. L’Ghoul followed up but curled it wide.

Kevin Lokko headed wide from L’Ghoul’s corner before Welling levelled. One of Dover’s trialists tripped Cook in the penalty area and a spot kick was awarded. Cook took it himself and sent Worgan the wrong way.

Pavey headed wide then Steven Rigg had a shot saved before Dover scored the winner with four minutes remaining. Bobby-Joe Taylor found Gobern in space and he fired home.

Both teams are in action again on Tuesday with Welling visiting Aveley and Dover hosting Gillingham.

Welling United: Wilks, Ming, Anderson, Dymond (Prestedge 72), Rich-Baghuelou, Kpekawa (Trialist 68), Cook, Agyemang (England 78), Oyinsan (Cosgrave 64), Anau (Bizma 86), Johnson (Jebb 78).

Dover Athletic: Mersin (Worgan 46), Passley, Doe (Trialist 46). Lokko, Wratten (Taylor 64), Woods (Trialist 46, (Trialist 72)), Rigg, Cumberbatch (Trialist 64), L’Ghoul, Munns (Pavey 46), Reason (Gobern 46).

Welling United:

Goalscorers: Cook pen (63)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Dover Athletic:

Goalscorers: L’Ghoul (2), Gobern 86)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Referee: Alex Bradley

Assistants: Ricky Adams and Ryan Whitaker

Attendance: 125