By Matthew Panting

Ross Lafayette scored a wonder-goal as Welling registered their first Blue Square Bet South win of the season at Chelmsford on Monday.

Lafayette made it two goals in as many games when he chested the ball and scored a scorching volley on the turn to cancel out Craig Calver's first-half opener.

Subsequent goals from Luis Cumbers and a Mark Haines own goal then put the Wings 3-1 ahead before substitute Craig Parker set up a nervy finale.

Welling looked in control until Ben Martin's error let in Jamie Slabber and he crossed for Calver to score in the 18th minute. Within 60 seconds, Martin was almost left red-faced again but his backpass was cleared on the line by the speedy Sam Mott.

Mott then had to tip over Aiden Palmer's free-kick but Welling were back on level terms thanks to Lafayette's goal of the season contender.

Six minutes later, Welling were ahead as Lafayette headed a right-wing cross against the bar with keeper Stuart Searle flapping at thin air and the rebound was eventually turned in by Cumbers (pictured).

Harry Baker then fired a 30-yard free-kick just wide of the upright as Welling finished the half on top. Their dominance continued in the second half, although Chelmsford's Anthony Cook was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a late lunge on Scott Kinch.

Welling extended their lead in the 57th minute as Baker returned a left-wing corner and Fraser Franks' header was diverted into his own net by Haines.

Baker then beat Searle to a backpass but his effort was cleared off the line, as was Kinch's overhead kick following a corner.

Chelmsford pulled a goal back three minutes into stoppage time when Parker finished smartly and there was still time for a major scare at the back. Chelmsford thought they had equalised when the loose ball was turned in after Mott fumbled a long-range shot but his blushes were spared by the assistant's offside flag.