Lee Clarke's first-half penalty maintained Welling's push for a Blue Square Bet South play-off place.

Clarke (pictured), who missed his previous spot-kick at Thurrock last month, made no mistake as Welling comfortably held on against 10 men-Hampton.

The game's decisive moment arrived just before the half-hour when Andy Pugh raced clear and was felled by Orlando Jeffrey.

Referee M Pottage pointed to the spot and sent-off Jeffrey for the professional foul before Clarke kept his cool from the spot.

Player-manager Jamie Day, back in the team after missing the abandoned midweek clash with Bromley, saw his 30-yard free-kick clawed away by keeper Matt Lovett on the stroke of half-time.

On a pitch and against a team that dictated the long ball would be used more often than not, Welling looked strong in defence, combative in midfield and creative in attack.

Their afternoon would have been made eaiser had Clarke not headed wide from close-range after Pugh's low shot had been blocked.

It took Hampton until the 79th minute to have a shot on target but on-loan keeper Mitchell Walker, who could have been playing the last game of his loan spell from Brighton, saved substitute Lawrence Yaku's low drive.

Luis Cumbers twice went close late on, as did Pugh and, while late bookings for Clarke and Day only underlined the inconsistency of the match officials, the Wings eased to victory.