Victory for Dover Athletic at Welling United pushed them into fourth place in the Vanarama National League.
However defeat for the hosts left them languishing in the bottom four.
Goals in each half left them in command although a late Welling flurry almost left them regretting earlier missed chances.
Goalkeeper Mike McEntegart was star of the show making a string of fine saves to keep his team in the game.
Having made a comfortable early save from Jack Parkinson, he had to be out quickly to block Stefan Payne.
Twelve minutes into the game, Dover profited from a Welling defensive mix-up that left Kevin Lokko on the ground whilst Ricky Modeste strode through unopposed to finish.
Although Lokko tried to soldier on, he was unable to continue and Zach Fagan replaced him after McEntegart made a good save from Ricky Miller.
Reece Harris hit a clean shot that was well held by Andy Rafferty in the Dover goal but McEntegart was soon in action again first saving from Sean Raggett and then from Miller.
Payne was forced into shooting wide by Michael Chambers then McEntegart made a brilliant block from Modeste.
McEntegart then made a great tip over from Miller’s header before further problems struck the Wings. Substitute Fagan went lame and was himself replaced by Nortei Nortey moments before the break.
Payne was twice off target early in the second period before George Porter came close for Welling at the other end.
Nick Devedics scored the all important second goal in the 69th minute after Payne had pulled it back for him.
Ricky Wellard tested Rafferty with a long range effort but McEntegart was again called into action when saving from Deverdics.
Welling rallied late on and Barney Williams’ injury time diving header hit the underside of the cross bar, came down but came out.
A minute later Porter’s cross found Sam Corne whose header was brilliantly saved by Rafferty. Corne reacted quickly and smashed the rebound home.
Porter then pick-pocketed Dover from a very casual restart but Welling were unable to take advantage.
Dover manager Chris Kinnear was not just happy with the result. “I was delighted with the way we played, really. We could have ended up with six, couldn’t we. That’s two games on the trot the opposing side’s keeper’s won man of the match.”
“We worked hard to create chances against a side that works very, very hard. We’re pleased to get three points at the the end of the day.”
However, Welling manager, Loui Fazakerley did not feel that the scoreline was an unfair reflection. “Mikey (McEntegart) is a Welling player and he has to perform like everyone else has to perform. He pulled off some great saves. You rely on your goalkeeper to pull off saves. I wouldn’t say that because he has had a few saves to make that the score-line flattered us.”
He did admit that there are things that the team has to do better. “We have to go back to the drawing board and we have to address those areas that keep popping up. There’s a couple of errors that led to goals. We’ve got to learn. We’ve got to learn very, very quickly.”
Both teams are in action again on Monday. Dover host Bromley and Welling travel to Braintree Town.
Welling United: Welling United: McEntegart, Williams, Jefford, Corne, Chambers, Lokko (Fagan 18 (Nortey 45)), Porter, Vidal, Bakare (Kabba 65), Wellard, Harris.
Unused substitutes: Gagliardi, St. Aimie.
Dover Athletic: Rafferty, Magri, Thomas, Raggett, Sterling, Orlu, Modeste, Parkinson, Miller (Ajala 80), Payne (Murphy 79), Deverdics.
Unused substitutes: Ofori-Acheampong, Grimes, Pinnock.
Referee: Stephen Ross
Assistants: Benjamin Knight and Mark Lucie
4th Official: Neil West
Man of the match: Mike McEntegart
Attendance: 1,066
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden