Welling United claimed their first Skrill Premier victory of the season courtesy of a late Ross Lafayette goal against Grimsby Town.

Both teams defended well so clear cut chances were at a premium but when Lafayette finally got a sight of goal with five minutes remaining, he made no mistake.

Joe Colbeck of Grimsby had the first shot on target when played in by Craig Disley’s break, but his low shot was well saved by Lee Butcher.

Alex Dyer had an effort deflected wide by Chris Doig for the first of three successive corners. Although nothing came of the first two, Blaine Hudson met the third with a powerful header that flew just over.

Grimsby came very close just before half time when Clayton McDonald’s header from Patrick McLaughlin’s corner crashed back off the crossbar.

Early in the second half members of both teams squared up to each other when Fraser Franks was shoved into a photographer by Lenell John-Lewis. Once the altercation had settled down, John-Lewis was cautioned along with Welling’s Doug Bergqvist and Grimsby’s Scott Kerr.

John-Lewis’ miserable afternoon finished ten minutes later when a clash of heads with Welling’s Lee Clarke meant both players were unable to continue. The withdrawal of the Wings’ skipper, who required ten stitches in a cut above his eye, allowed the introduction of new signing Harry Beautyman. Andy Cook came on for the visitors.

Although Grimsby started to enjoy more possession, Welling kept their shape well and created a few openings.

Beautyman had a shot blocked by McDonald, Jake Gallagher screwed a shot wide and the impressive Dyer cut in and curled an effort just beyond the far post.

Franks blasted a free kick over for Welling and Scott Neilson went close for Grimsby.

Colbeck’s shot was deflected over by Franks but Welling broke the deadlock with five minutes remaining.

Loick Pires held up play brilliantly before finding Dyer who switched the ball out to Lafayette. The Wings’ striker’s little shimmy gave him sufficient space to enable him to smash a left foot shot beyond James McKeown.

Deep into injury time, Dayle Southwell got behind the Welling defence but his fierce effort was well beaten out by Butcher.

Welling United: Butcher, Bergqvist, Jack Obersteller, Gallagher, Franks, Hudson, Dyer, Clarke (Beautyman 56), Guthrie (Pires 62), Lafayette, Healy. Unused substitutes: Turner, Webb, Joe Obersteller.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Thomas, Kerr (Southwell 87), Doig, Colbeck, Disley, McDonald, John-Lewis (Cook 56), Bignot, Rodman (Neilson 75), McLaughlin. Unused substitutes: Hatton, Thanoj

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 807

Welling star player: Fraser Franks

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.