Having twice lost at Woking this season Welling United hoped it would be third time lucky in the play-off decider.

Sadly for the Wings it wasn’t to be as they lost to the only goal of the match whilst Woking return to the Vanarama National League at the first time of asking.

Steve King made one change to the starting line-up from the team that beat Chelmsford City seven days earlier with Josh Hill coming in for the injured Anthony Acheampong.

Woking came out flying but once Welling had drawn their sting, they started to create opportunities.

Bradley Goldberg curled over before Danny Mills out muscled his marker to break through but his fierce drive went into the side netting.

Dan Wilks was unable to reach a deep free kick and when it was nodded on, Jordan Gibbons came round from behind to clear..

Brendan Kiernan showed his pedigree with brilliant skill down the right wing before he crossed. It came at a height that left Thierry Audel in two minds in whether to volley or head and he missed it completely. However, it fell to Gavin McCallum who drilled it just the wrong side of the near post.

Moussa Diarra headed wide for Woking before Welling came desperately close to going ahead. Goldberg created the shooting opportunity for himself but his low effort came out off the inside of the post back into Craig Ross’ arms.

Amari Little had a chance for Woking but Hill cleared off the line before Woking broke the dead-lock. Thierry Audel made a needless challenge just outside the penalty area and Little made him pay for it with a fantastic curler over the defensive wall.

Audel was cautioned for that but surprisingly Josh Carey got away with a shocking challenge on Gavin McCallum moments later despite having had an earlier warning.

Neither side made changes at the interval and Audel hooked the first opportunity of the second half high over the bar.

Wilks then made a good save from Jake Hyde before Carey was cautioned for a bad foul on Goldberg.

Reise Allassani brought another save out of Wilks before King made a double substitution bringing on Nassim L’Ghoul and Julien Anau.

L’Ghoul was then involved in the defining moment of the game. He went down under the challenge of Jack Cook in the penalty area but the well placed referee turned Welling’s appeals down.

Mills headed wide from Kiernan’s cross before Hill let fly but Ben Gerring made a brave block with his head at the cost of a corner.

Another Mills drive was beaten out by Ross before Anau shot over.

Allassani fired over and Hyde had a shot saved as Woking looked sharp on the break but despite having the majority of possession Welling were unable to create another clear cut opportunity and it was the Cards who won promotion to the Vanarama National League.

Woking: Ross, Cook, Casey, Ferdinand, Gerring, Diarra, Allassani (Durojaiye 85), Little, Hyde Bradbury 90+), Kretzschmar, Cadogan (Hodges 73).

Subs not used: Collier, Mason.

Welling United: Wilks, Gibbons, Braham-Barrett, Mendy (Anau 64), Hill, Audel, Kiernan, Ijaha, Mills, Goldberg (Bettamer 71), McCallum (L’Ghoul 64).

Subs not used: Hajizadeh, Orlu.

Woking:

Goalscorers: Little (41)

Yellow cards: Casey, Allassani

Red cards: None

Welling United:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Audel

Red cards: None

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

Assistants: Shaun Barry and Mark Stevens

Fourth official: Ryan T. Atkin

Attendance: 4,865

Welling star player: David Ijaha

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.