Andy Pugh's hat-trick – including a stunning third goal – handed Welling United a fourth straight Blue Square Bet South win on Saturday.

The former Gillingham striker took his season tally to 14 with two poacher's goals and then a splendid 20-yard left-foot shot in stoppage time.

Skipper Jack Parkinson should have headed Welling in front after four minutes but it was not long before the visitors went ahead when Luis Cumbers crossed for Pugh to finish from close-range in the 12th minute.

Ex-Welling midfielder Michael Bakare posed plenty of problems with his direct running and John Whitehouse had to deny him twice.

But that was all the hosts had to offer and they were well beaten after the break.

Welling made it 2-0 on 64 minutes when Loick Pires set up Cumbers, whose shot was fumbled by keeper Ross Kitteridge and as Lee Clarke challenged the ball fell kindly for Pugh to tap in.

Kitteridge injured his hand during the incident and received lengthy treatment before continuing, although he never looked comfortable.

The keeper had to use his body to deny Cumbers a third but Pires made no mistake three minutes from time with a clinical finish to make it 3-0.

There was still time for Welling to round off an impressive week and gain third place in the table when Pugh controlled a long ball, cut inside and bent a stunning left-foot shot into the far corner.

Welling closed the gap on second-placed Ebbsfleet to two points, after their Kent rivals drew at home to Boreham Wood.