Having gone in behind at half time, Welling United turned the F.A. Trophy tie on its head to see off St. Albans City and progress to the First Round.

Bradley Goldberg returned from injury but Sanchez Ming was suspended and Anthony Cook, new signing Moses Emmanuel and Ejiro Okosieme were not fit enough to start so Mark Goldberg had to shuffle his pack.

In the early exchanges, Welling looked lively and Nathan Green knocked on Joe Anderson’s delivery but Dean Snedker saved from Bradley Goldberg.

Snedker then made a great from Green’s header when he met a Montel Agyemang corner before making s more comfortable one when Green got on the end of another Agyemang delivery.

It wasn’t all one way though and Welling had to defend a big goalmouth scramble before St Albans went ahead. A long ball over the top sent Sam Merson away. He fired in a shot that Dan Wilks beat out but Merson, following up, squared to Zane Banton and he took his time before firing home.

Goldberg’s flicked effort was saved by Snedker before Merson headed a long Tom Bender cross over the bar.

Once more, Snedker made a comfortable save, this time from a Rob Swaine header before Soloman Nwabuokei got in behind at the other end but shot straight at Wilks.

Theo Widdrington’s thirty yard free kick was saved easily by Snedker before St Albans almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Ollie Sprague angled in a free kick and Merson flicked it on but it came back off the bar.

Manager Goldberg made a double change at the break. He had hoped to rest injuries that Cook and Emmanuel had picked up but he felt it necessary to introduce them and there was almost an immediate response. Cook delivered a free kick but Waldren headed it wide.

Merson then missed a great chance when another long ball over the top sent him away but Wilks was out quickly and the Saints striker shot beyond the far post.

That miss proved costly when Welling scored twice in ninety seconds. First Cook delivered a corner that caused a goalmouth scramble. Emmanuel’s shot was blocked by Snedker and Waldren was first to the rebound and he bundled it home.

Then Cook went on a run down the right wing before angling in a low cross that Emmanuel met at the far post with a debut goal.

Emmanuel attempted to double his tally with a fierce drive but Snedker saved before Welling were reduced to ten men. Waldren went in hard on Nwabuokei earning him a straight red card. After extensive treatment, the Saints man had to be helped off the field and was substituted.

Despite being a man short, Welling went three-one ahead. Cook caught Snedker out with a perfect execution of a twenty-five yard free kick.

Joe Iaciofano was sent clear but Wilks made a great save and then, in injury time, the Saints substitute had one last chance when he tried to take advantage of Wilks being out of his goal but his chip drifted over.

Next Saturday Welling travel to Dorking Wanderers looking as they return to National League South action.

Welling United: Wilks, Dymond, Anderson, Waldren, Swaine (Okosieme 48), Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave (Cook 46), Agyemang, Goldberg, Widdrington, Green (Emmanuel 46). Subs not used: Prall, Johnson, Burstow, Atkins.