Joe Healy (right) bagged the winner in the play-off semi-final first leg with Sutton United. Pic: David Brown

Sutton United 1 Welling United 2

Welling take a one goal lead into the second leg at Park View Road on Sunday after a narrow victory at Sutton United.

Loick Pires had the game’s first chance as he headed a Ben Martin flick-on straight at keeper Kevin Scriven.

Pires then went close again with a free-kick, but Scriven did exceptionally well to tip the ball behind for a corner.

Stefan Payne recorded Sutton’s only shot in the opening stages, but put an audacious effort over the bar.

Welling opened the scoring in the 27th minute after a lovely passing move. Lee Clarke burst into the area and met Dean Cracknell’s glorious cross with a diving header that flew past Scriven.

Paul Telfer then hit a free-kick high and wide as Sutton tried to recover.

Welling nearly made it two just before half-time when Joe Healy’s delicate chip from the byline was met by Luis Cumbers at the far post, only to see it blocked on the line by Telfer.

Sutton improved after the break as Leroy Griffiths scuffed a shot wide, before Holloway made a marvellous save from a low Craig Dundas drive.

However, Sutton where to level shortly afterwards. A low cross took several deflections on its way into the Welling area which caught keeper Holloway out and he was unable to prevent the ball squirming under his body and into the net.

Seven minutes later though, Welling regained the lead. Pires broke away in the middle of the park and went on a powerful run, before crossing for the on-rushing Healy who delicately poked past Scriven.

Sutton went in search of the equaliser after the goal and Holloway had to be at his very best to tip a Dundas curling effort past the post.

But Welling dug in and claimed the win knowing that it’s only half-time in the tie.

Welling United: Holloway, Fazakerley (Sambrook 84), Obersteller, Day, Martin, Parkinson, Cracknell, Clarke, Cumbers (Baker 73), Healy, Pires. Unused subs: Kinch, Acheampong, Turner.