By Matthew Panting

Two quality finishes from on-loan Gillingham striker Andy Pugh handed Welling their first win in four games on Monday.

The Wings, who had substitute Jake Hobbs sent off with 12 minutes left, grabbed the points thanks to Pugh's 89th-minute winner, which saw them move to within seven points of the play-off places.

After being penned in their own half for the first 15 minutes, Welling started to find their feet and took the lead on 22 minutes. Jack Obersteller, restored to the side in place of Michael Deane, delivered a free-kick from the right and Pugh's clever flick proved too good for veteran keeper Paul Bastock.

Neat work by Pugh minutes later nearly set up strike partner Tom Whitnell for a second but his shot was comfortably saved.

St Albans, for all their possession, forced few saves out of keeper Charlie Mitten but almost forced an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Drew Roberts' shot was deflected wide.

Welling, who were without Loui Fazackerley (ankle), were pegged back seven minutes into the second half. They failed to clear a free-kick into the penalty area and Roberts turned the ball home.

Hobbs saw red in the 78th minute when referee Steve Daly sent him off despite having his back turned to his challenge on Godfrey Poku. The official, normally one of the best at this level, failed to consult his assistants and, with St Albans players rushing to demand action, he brandished the red card.

Playing against 10 men, St Albans went with four up front, but they were caught out on the counter attack in the final minute when Pugh beat the offside trap and ran nearly half the length of the pitch before firing low beyond Bastock.

There were still seven minutes of stoppage time for the Wings to negotiate but it was the visitors who nearly added to their tally when substitute Michael Bakare was denied by Bastock.

Welling travel to Bromley on New Year's Day, kick-off 3pm, with the Lillywhites in good form after Warren McBean, Ashley Carew (penalty) and Marcus Cassius gave them a comfortable 3-0 win over Eastleigh. They are eighth in the table, three points behind Dover who sit in the final play-off spot, but with three games in hand.