Welling United 3 Maidstone United 2 match report: Champions beaten as Wings secure safety

Champions Maidstone were given a guard of honour but it was Welling’s day as the Wings secured safety.

The Stones, back in action 48 hours after clinching the National South title, saw their eight-match winning streak halted as Warren Feeney's side got the win they needed to stay up with a game to spare.

Harvey Bradbury opened the scoring for Welling, with Hady Ghandour levelling after the break.

Bradley Stevenson restored the lead and Bradbury added a late third before Joe Ellul scored Maidstone's second at the death.

Victory for Welling, coupled with Billericay's defeat by Ebbsfleet, keeps the Wings in the division.

Hakan Hayrettin - sporting the Maidstone scarf he picked up during Saturday night’s title celebrations - made four changes for the Bank Holiday Monday clash at Park View Road.

Jack Barham (toe) missed out through injury, meaning a start for Ghandour, there was a first league start for winger TT Walters, while goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin and midfielder Johl Powell also returned.

Twelve-hundred Stones fans were in party mood with the championship in the bag - nothing was going to spoil their day - but there was plenty riding on the game for Welling.

It was clear on the touchline Hayrettin and No.2 Terry Harris were very much bothered about the result but the visitors didn’t hit the heights of the winning run that took them to the title.

They had their moments, Walters looking bright down the left early on and Sam Corne buzzing about in midfield, but Welling looked far more assured defensively, left-back Chi Ezennolim particularly impressive, than they had done in the 4-1 defeat at the Gallagher over Christmas.

Big strikers Bradbury and Dipo Akinyemi also looked alert pouncing on uncharacteristic mistakes in the