Blyth Spartans 1 - 3 Welling United

WELLING made a timely return to form to reach the last 16 of the FA Trophy at Croft Park on Saturday.

The Wings dominated early on but it was the home side who should have taken the lead when striker Robert Dale somehow missed from one yard out allowing Welling keeper Jamie Turner to make a scrambled save.

Welling took the lead on 35 minutes through the game's outstanding player. Latching onto a loose ball, Jamie Day sent a spectacular first time left-foot volley into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The Wings doubled their advantage three minutes into first-half stoppage time when Adrian Clarke's left-wing corner was headed in by top scorer Danny Kedwell.

Not sitting on their lead the Wings, who produced their best display since November, added a third goal five minutes after the break. A one touch move, despite the heavy ground, saw Matt Bodkin and Che Stadhart combine to set up Robert Owen, who sent the keeper the wrong way from just inside the penalty area.

Clarke was denied by home keeper Craig Turns before Kedwell was thwarted by a fine double save.

Welling boss Adrian Pennock was called into action with 20 minute left when defender Steve Perkins was stretchered off. It was Pennock's first appearance for Welling.

The home side pulled one back with 12 minutes to go when former Premiership star Graham Fenton produced a volley to rival Day's opener from 25 yards.

Blyth's Andrew Appleby was lucky to escape a red card one minute later for a horrendous late challenge on Turner adn despite home pressure the Wings held on throughout five minutes of added time.