Welling rounded off an impressive first season back in non-league's top flight with a 4-3 win over Southport on Saturday.

Leading scorer Ross Lafayette took his season's tally to 17 with a brace as the Wings came from 3-1 down to end a run of four straight defeats.

Lafayette volleyed Welling into a 10th-minute lead against a Southport team, who only averted the threat of relegation last weekend.

But the visitors quickly turned the game around as Welling twice conceded possession cheaply. The first chance on 15 minutes saw Luke George's spectacular left-foot shot find the top corner from 35 yards and then, on 22 minutes, Vinny Mukendi fired home.

Southport, who had just one victory away from home to their name all season (at Hyde in August), were in dreamland seven minutes before half-time when John O'Sullivan was given time and space to find the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Welling's response after the break was similar to their comeback displays en route to the Conference South title the previous season.

Playing down the slope, they turned the game on its head and were irresistible at times.

The energetic Harry Beautyman led the charge, curling in a 25-yard free-kick on 49 minutes.

Lafayette's close-range header was somehow kept out before Jake Gallagher, having a missed an easier chance, made amends when sent clean through to finish beyond keeper Danny Hurst on 57 minutes.

As Welling continued to apply the pressure, Southport, having already lost their lead, started to lose their heads. None more so than centre-back Toto Nsiala, who inexplicably handled a long Tom Bender throw-in. Lafayette sent Hurst the wrong way from the spot to put Welling ahead with 18 minutes left.

The drama was not over there, however, as Nsiala then got involved when he had no need. John Dillon's late challenge on Bender earned him a caution but with players from both sides coming together, Sho-Silva and Nsiala were both booked - earning the Southport defender a red card in the process.

With 10 men, Southport failed to test Welling's player-of-the-year, Lee Butcher, in goal and the Wings ended their first season back in the Conference Premier in a more than respectable 16th place.