Charlie Penny scored his first Welling goal to lift them out of the relegation zone on Saturday.

The former Millwall forward, who turned 20 last month, turned in stand-in skipper Jamal Fyfield’s excellent cross early in the second half to hand the Wings three points against 10-man Halifax, whose main tactic seemed to be to kick lumps out of Welling top scorer Harry Beautyman.

It was a policy that backfired when Matty Pearson was red carded for stamping on Beautyman’s chest in the 51st minute.

Youngster Sam Corne, retaining his place with Jake Gallagher suspended for a further match by the FA following comments made after his red card at Dartford earlier this month, twice went close to putting Welling ahead in the opening 20 minutes.

Halifax’s direct approach caused few problems although Adam Smith had on-loan Bournemouth keeper Benji Buchel scampering across goal with a 35-yard shot that went just over.

Richard Peniket’s header was deflected wide before the game came to life with two goals in three minutes before half-time.

Welling went ahead on 42 minutes when Beautyman’s deep corner was headed back across goal by Malachi Hudson and Aristide Bassele forced in the loose ball for his first Welling goal.

Bassele then headed over a Hudson cross before Halifax equalised on the stroke of half-time when Lois Maynard expertly headed Marc Roberts’ long punt forward over the stranded Buchel from the edge of the penalty area.

Welling went ahead with the move of the game five minutes into the second half, started and finished by Penny. After feeding Hudson, the wideman sent Fyfield behind the Halifax defence and Penny – who missed the first few months of the season through injury - had made up ground to convert from close range.

Within a minute, Halifax were reduced to 10 men after Pearson’s needless red card.

Marc Roberts headed over for the visitors but it was Welling who looked more likely to score late on. Beautyman’s left-foot shot was parried and substitute Keiron St.Aimie headed agonisingly wide of the upright after Hudson again tormented the Halifax defence.

It needed an excellent block by Zach Fagan to deny Halifax’s Paul Marshall but Welling held on for three deserved points to move above rivals Dartford in the table.