A Dean Cracknell hat-trick, which included two goals in the last seven minutes, made it three wins in a week for Welling on Saturday.

The Wings moved to within a point of the Blue Square South play-off places and know that victory over Weymouth on Tuesday night will put them in the top five for the first time this season.

Maidenhead set their stall out from the outset with a crunching second-minute tackle on Wings' manager Jamie Day earning Ashley Smith a caution.

But their physical approach was matched by some enterprising football and they should have led by at least two goals at half-time.

The visitors took a 13th-minute lead when a right-wing corner was turned in from close range by Kieran Knight.

The impressive Alex Wall twice failed to find the target when well placed before the game turned on the stroke of half-time.

Michael Deane's left-wing cross was headed down by Tommy Whitnell and Cracknell was left with the simple task of scoring from close range.

There was still time before the break for Loui Fazackerley to lead a 3-on-1 break but then fail to find Lee Clarke before being tackled himself.

Carl Jenkinson replaced flu-victim Graeme Andrews at half-time and he kept Wall quiet after the break.

Maidenhead were put on the backfoot when Nevin Saroya was correctly sent-off for a professional foul on Whitnell by referee T Power.

Despite playing against 10 men, Welling struggled to break Maidenhead down as Clarke and Sam Hurrell both went close.

A rib injury forced Hurrell off and Whitnell was replaced by Charlton youngster Tamer Tuna with 20 minutes left after a thigh problem cut short his afternoon.

Clarke somehow headed Deane's corner wide with 13 minutes left and it wasn't until the 83rd minute that Welling went ahead.

Cracknell arrived at the right time to meet Fazackerley's perfect right-wing cross and score his second goal.

Within two minutes, Clarke was felled in the box and Cracknell sent the keeper the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.

Welling host Weymouth on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm. Midfielder Luke L'Anson is likely to be involved after switching to Park View Road from Bromley following Tony Finn's move to Chelmsford on Friday.

Bromley were undone by a late goal, going down 1-0 in stoppage time away to Dover Athletic.

Cray Wanderers did their Ryman Premier Division survival hopes the power of good with a 1-0 win at home to Ashford Town (Middx).

On a difficult surface, Rob Quinn's header on 67 minutes was enough to separate the two sides. Charlton Athletic youngster Jack Green put in a promising display on the wing to supply the telling cross for Quinn and shone on an afternoon of few chances.

Cray now leap frog Maidstone United into 16th.