Two first half Welling goals and a strong second half defensive performance saw the Wings through to the second round of the F.A. Cup for just the third time in their history.
Lee Clarke and Joe Healy notched the goals but Lee Butcher in goal was the Wings’ hero with a string of fine saves.
After a quiet opening fifteen minutes in which Jake Gallagher’s stab over was the only notable attacking moment, Butcher was required to make his first save at close range from Paul Benson.
Elliot Justham was allowed to make a couple of easy catches unopposed then Ross Lafayette had a shot saved.
The Wings’ leading goalscorer showed once again that there is more to him than just goals when crossing for Lee Clarke to scramble home at the near post.
Lafayette shot wide of the near post before Luke Guttridge missed a great chance at the other end under pressure from Fraser Franks celebrating his recall to the England C squad.
Welling’s second came two minutes before the break, and again Lafayette was the provider. His through ball was perfectly weighted for Healy to burst through and finish clinically.
Early in the second half Alex Dyer had a shot deflected over then Andy Parry recovered superbly to tackle Healy when he looked poised to score and it was against the run of play when Luton pulled a goal back.
Benson’s first effort was blocked brilliantly by Butcher but the Wings’ goalkeeper was powerless against the follow up.
Buoyed by that, the Hatters upped the pace and stretched their hosts and Butcher made a brilliant save from Andy Parry.
It wasn’t all one way though and when Luton struggled to clear a Jack Obersteller corner, Dyer put in a shot that was saved by Justham.
Another Benson effort went wide then James Stevenson headed over.
Butcher saved from a Benson header then Welling broke but Justham was out sharply at the feet of substitute Kiernan Hughes-Mason.
Possibly, Butcher’s best save came from Jake Howells’ shot and after JJ O’Donnell shot wide, he made one last stop from Zane Banton to put Welling in the draw for the second round.
Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Obersteller, Gallagher, Franks, Hudson, Dyer (Beautyman 84), Clarke, Guthrie (Hughes-Mason 84) Lafayette, Healy.
Unused substitutes: Turner, Webb, Corne, Day.
Luton Town: Justham, Smith, McNulty, Howells (Banton 89), Cullen, Parry, Martin (Lawless 57), Guttridge (O’Donnell 79), Benson, Stevenson, Lacey.
Unused substitutes: Tyler, Taiwo, Griffiths, Robinson.
Referee: Ben Toner
Attendance: 1,555
Welling star man: Lee Butcher
Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.