Khayrie Harris was the difference as Lewisham Borough progressed in the Challenge Cup at the expense of Welling Town.

He claimed a goal and two assists as the hosts beat their higher division opponents.

Darrell Thompson glanced a header wide from Zacchius Ajose’s cross for Lewisham in the early stages before Marcus Elliott had a chance at the other end when breaking down the wing and cutting in but shooting too straight and Khiani Shombe saved comfortably.

Ajose cut in and had a shot that took a deflection and looped into the grateful arms of Jack Rankin before a goalmouth scramble in the Lewisham penalty ended with Khayrie Shombe making a great save from Elliott.

Bryan Zepo sent a free kick over the wall and also over the bar for the hosts before Rankin made a good diving save to keep out Ajose’s fierce drive. Seven minutes before the break, Lewisham went ahead. Ade Adeyinka set Harris away and he drew Rankin out before slotting it beyond him.

Vincent fired over for Welling before Lewisham scored again in the final minute of first half regulation time. Harris made space down the right and crossed deep for Ajose to arrive late and tuck home with a low volley.

After the interval, Welling tried to get back into the game and enjoyed a good spell of possession. Elliott drew a good diving save out of Shombe then Andrew Mott had a shot blocked out as far as Chandler Kasai but his first time effort flashed wide. Jordan Samuel also came close for the Boots when he had a shot deflected beyond the post.

However, Boro sealed the victory when they added a third, four minutes from time. Harris tricked his way to the bye-line before pulling it back for Myles Crossley to head home.

Although five additional minutes were signalled, neither side created another chance and it was Lewisham who progressed.

Lewisham Borough: Shombe, Thomas (Crossley 74), Scarlett, Williams, Harvey, Burton, Ajose (Sineen 81), Adeyinka, (Sequirera 76) Zepo (Brown 74), Thompson (Lochner 79), Harris.

Goal scorers: Harris (38), Ajose (45), Crossley (86)

Yellow cards: None

Welling Town: Rankin, Hearn, Vincent, Manktelow (Goumon 61), Phillips, Smith, Samuel, White, Elliott, Mott, Kasai. Sub not used: Omogbai.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Stephen Gorman

Assistants: Connor Wood and Thomas Amber

Attendance: 65