Welling closed the gap on leaders Salisbury to two points in Blue Square Bet South on Tuesday night.

The Wings were never at their best as they struggled against a defiant Bromley side, reduced to 10 men as early as the 11th minute after Moses Swaibu’s red card.

Joe Healy tucked away the subsequent penalty – despite a two-minute delay – but it was not until injury time and a goal by substitute Theo Fairweather-Johnson that the points were safe.

Healy’s early free-kick had to be tipped over before the game’s main talking point. Loui Fazakerley got to the byline and his cross was met by Healy, only for Swaibu to block the shot with his arm. Referee Carl Fitch showed the Bromley centre-back the red card and Healy’s successful spot-kick made sure it was a double punishment.

Bromley still posed a threat and Anthony Acheampong nearly gave them a lifeline but his sliced clearance went straight at keeper Sam Mott.

The visitors dominated possession after the break and belied their lowly league position, despite being a man short. But their hopes were dented midway through the second half when substitute Joe Obersteller – on for the injured Barney Williams at half-time – sent Ross Lafayette clear and he finished low beyond keeper Joe Welch.

An error by Mott, who could only flap Ali Fuseini’s 76th-minute cross into his own net, saw Bromley pull one back, although the Wings keeper did well to turn behind Charlton loanee Joe Pigott’s low shot moments later.

Lafayette missed a good opening to wrap the points up but Fazakerley’s injury-time run set up Fairweather-Johnson, who made no mistake to make the final scoreline harsh on their industrious rivals.