by Matthew Panting

Luis Cumbers’ second-half winner nudged Welling United a step closer to the Blue Square Bet South play-offs on Saturday.

Unselfish Cumbers, who worked tirelessly down the right wing throughout, nodded in from close range after Loick Pires headed down a Jack Obersteller corner in the 62nd minute.

The Wings had got off to the perfect start when Chelmsford failed to clear a long free-kick and player-manger Jamie Day, who occupied a more advanced role alongside Pires, headed in a fifth-minute opener.

Chelmsford drew level eight minutes later when Ben Martin was adjudged to have tripped Kezie Ibe and skipper Dave Rainford converted the spot-kick via the inside of Craig Holloway’s post.

It was the first time that Holloway had been beaten from the penalty spot in his brief Wings career, having already kept out efforts against Dover and Staines.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half, although Kenny Clark headed wide from a corner for the hosts when it seemed easier to score.

Welling thought they’d gone ahead early in the second-half but Scott Kinch had his close-range effort ruled out for offside after Jack Parkinson’s left-foot drive had come back off the inside of Stuart Searle’s post.

It mattered little as Welling took the lead four minutes later and they were nearly 3-1 ahead with 20 minutes left when a swift counter-attack saw Day cross for the on-rushing Pires, whose diving header agonisingly went the wrong side of the post.

Chelmsford piled on the pressure in the final 15 minutes but Welling, who enjoyed a fair share of luck, defended stoutly with defender Anthony Acheampong impressing at the heart of the defence.

With nine minutes left Acheampong was back to clear substitute Alex Osborn’s effort away for a corner with keeper Holloway beaten.

Holloway tipped over Clark’s header from another corner but Welling successfully saw out more than four minutes of stoppage time to claim maximum points.

Danny Waldren smashed a last-minute penalty against the bar as Bromley had to settle for a goalless draw with Eastleigh at Hayes Lane.

Pierre Joseph-Dubois came closest to breaking the deadlock with a second-half header which came back off the inside of the post.

The hosts saw penalty appeals for fouls on Joseph-Dubois and Hakeem Araba dismissed before they finally on a spot-kick in the final minute when Anthony Thomas saw his acrobatic volley blocked by an Eastleigh arm.

However Waldren fired his spot-kick into the underside of the bar but the ball bounced out and was scrambled away.

The point did move Bromley up to 17th and three points clear of the relegation zone.

Do you think Welling have assured themselves of a play-off place with the win at Chelmsford? Have your say below.