By Matthew Panting

Injury-hit Welling made light work of their struggles with a comfortable home win over Billericay in Blue Square Bet South on Tuesday.

The victory takes Jamie Day's side to second place in the table, five points behind leaders Salisbury with a game in hand.

However, the Wings boss was one of seven first-team players on the treatment table by the time full-back Connor McLaren was susbtituted on the stroke of half-time.

Already without long-term absentee Luis Cumbers, the Wings were still without Lee Clarke and Jack Obersteller. Theo Fairweather-Johnson, Fraser Franks and Day were ruled out following Saturday's FA Trophy win and McLaren was eventually stretchered away at the end of the first half.

But those that were fit certainly made up for their absent team-mates. Joe Healy again proved a key link between midfield and attack while Scott Kinch (pictured) and Keirnan Hughes-Mason both staked their claims for starting places after scoring a magnificent goal apiece.

Ironically it was the visitors who settled first but they were behind after 11 minutes. Ross Lafayette's far-post header was brilliantly saved by Nathan McDonald but the loose ball was cleared against Ben Martin and eventually ended up in the back of the net.

A second goal arrived in the 37th minute after good work by Hughes-Mason down the right-wing. The ball found its way to Healy and referee Neil Hair had no hesitation in pointing to the spot when he was brought down.

Healy picked himself up to score his ninth goal of the season with a powerful spot-kick beyond McDonald.

Within five minutes it was 3-0. Lafayette had just seen his close-range shot saved when a quick free-kick saw Loui Fazakerley feed Kinch on the edge of the area and his stunning turn beat two players before he confidently finished with all the calmness of a regular scorer.

A subdued second half came to life with 18 minutes left when Craig Edwards pulled a goal back from close range.

But it served only to waken the home side. Hughes-Mason showed great footwork to dance his way into the area and beyond two challenges before finishing into the far corner two minutes later.

Then on 76 minutes a move that started deep in Welling's half saw Fazakerley exchange passes with Lafeyette before crossing for substitute Jon Main to finish at the near post.

Substitute Joe Benjamin pulled one back in the 90th minute but nothing could stop Welling moving second above rivals Dover in the table ahead of this weekend's trip to Eastleigh.