Lee Clarke made an important contribution as Welling drew first blood in their Blue Square Bet South play-off semi-final at Sutton United.

Striker Clarke misses Sunday’s second leg at Park View Road after his recent red card against Hampton and Richmond, but left his mark on the first leg with the opening goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 win.

Welling started brightly, and went ahead in the 25thminute after a flowing move which ended with Clarke beating home keeper Kevin Scriven with a diving header from Dean Cracknell’s cross.

Luis Cumbers had a header blocked before half-time and Sutton did not really threaten until Michael Boateng’s shot was brilliantly saved by Craig Holloway early in the second half.

When the home side did level, on 66 minutes, there was more than a touch of good luck about their equaliser as a low crentre from 22-goal Craig Watkins struck Jack Parkinson’s foot and completely wrong-footed Holloway.

Parity lasted for just seven minutes as Welling’s Loick Pires burst into the box before crossing low for Joe Healy to flick the ball past Scriven with his left foot.

Cumbers was fouled in the lead up to the goal and his departure soon after through injury, was the ony blemish on the night for Wings, who now face a race to get him fit for the second leg.

The winners of the tie face either Basingstoke or Dartford, who have a 1-0 lead from their first leg.

Picture: Welling's Lee Clarke who netted their opening goal at Sutton