Welling 1 County 2

THERE is nothing like a win to change the mood at a football club.

County fans, who were writing off their side's chances after the thrashing administered by leaders Lewes on Sunday, were once again full of the joys of an early spring as their side again looked a solid unit, winning on the far side of London.

True, Welling are on the fringe of the relegation zone and are without a win in nine home league and cup games, but they did not give up and County needed a couple of new heroes to clinch the success.

One of those was really an old hero returning with central defender Paul Cochlin repeating his effort when County last visited Park View Road in December 2006 when he also scored the deciding goal, while the other was 18 year-old goalkeeper Scott James who had a debut of which he can be proud.

The popular Cochlin sustained a serious injury in the match following last season's trip to Welling and he made his first County appearance for 15 months last night after a successful rehabilitation in lower grade football.

After the game County manager Peter Beadle shared the enthusiasm of the fans who made the long journey in substantial numbers.

"On Sunday, nobody did enough from number one to eleven, but tonight they all did what we asked of them," he said.

"We were strong down the middle of the pitch, we showed character and desire, and the work rate of all the players was superb, including our forwards and wide players.

"After dealing with the ball well all night Scott James had to cope with two difficult corners in the last minute and he did very well with both.

"We had the players in on Tuesday and had an honest chat with them in which they assured me that they believe they are good enough to win us promotion.

"They over-complicated their game against Lewes so we tried to go back to basics tonight and seemed to get back that little bit of zip that had been missing from our game in the last three league matches.

Beadle was engaged in friendly banter after the match with Steve King and Garry Wilson, the bosses of the top two Lewes and Eastbourne, who both have good reason to keep tabs on County.

With Glyn Thompson ruled unfit to start, Beadle entrusted the shot stopping duties to James who has been playing first team football for Cinderford Town recently, while in the continued absence of Ian Hillier and with Mark Dodds struggling with a hip injury, Cochlin partnered Lee Jarman at the back.

Beadle continued to shuffle the midfield pack with Nathan Davies recalled alongside Andy Gurney while Lee Fowler dropped to the bench, and Charlie Griffin returned to partner fellow goal ace Craig Hughes.

County made a lively start but they were handed some charity by home defender Chris Moore who handled instinctively as Griffin chased a long ball from Davies.

Referee John Magill was in no doubt the action was worthy of a penalty, a fact uncontested by Moore, and Jason Bowen converted the spot-kick with his characteristic style.

Gurney hit a viciously swerving free-kick from the corner of the penalty area in the 27th minute and Cochlin's glancing header gave Jamie Turner in the home goal no chance as County threatened to run riot.

But Welling caused confusion in the Exiles defence from their first corner in the 36th minute and striker Sam Gargan, who is on loan from Brighton, scrambled the ball over the line despite the desperate attempts of James to stop it.

County created little after the break though Griffin, who always looked a threat, flashed a shot just wide of the post in the 51st minute, while Jarman had a good chance with a 75th minute header.

Welling were even less creative though dangerous winger Ellis Green sent over a few awkward crosses of which no home forward could take advantage, and James finally snuffed out home hopes with his excellent handling of those late corners.

Welling: Turner, Howe, Cobbs, Carpenter, Moore (Ryan 58), Ellison-Hustwick, Green, Stewart, Foyewa (Boakye 66), Gargan, Smith (Phillips 58). Subs not used: Highsted, Coleman.

Scorer: Gargan (36). Cautions: Moore (37), Foyewa (80).

County: James, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Jarman, Cochlin, Bowen, Gurney (85), Griffin (Clarke 90), Hughes, R Evans. Subs not used: Dodds, Alsop, Thompson.

Scorers: Bowen (15 pen), Cochlin (27).

Referee: John Magill (Colchester).

Attendance: 506

Meanwhile, the FAW Premier Cup final showdown with Llanelli will be staged on Tuesday, March 11, with the Exiles getting the all-important home advantage. An announcement was expected today after the BBC - who will screen the game live and provide the prize money for the tournament - agreed that both Spytty Park and Llanelli's Stebonheath Park were suitable venues. Therefore the FAW Premier Cup board settled the matter last night with a toss of a coin, which came out in the Exiles' favour. It is the second successive year that Newport Stadium has hosted the final, as last season The New Saints' ground was deemed to be unsuitable.