WELLINGTON returned to home action after a lengthy lay-off with a much-needed 4-3 victory over neighbours Elmore in the Toolstation first division last night.

Jamie Ward’s side had not played at the Playing Field for more than a month but led throughout an incident-packed contest to pick up three valuable points and climb another place away from the bottom of the table.

They got off to a flying start with two goals in the opening 15 minutes, striker Corey Lewis showing great strength before shooting them ahead after only two minutes and then Luke Redrup increasing their lead with a fierce drive shortly afterwards.

But Elmore set the pattern of a game they were always chasing by pulling a goal back on 20 minutes, James Blake converting the rebound after Matt Harvey’s shot came back off the post.

Wellington restored their two-goal advantage six minutes later with a sweetly-struck half-volley by midfielder Darren Rice only for Elmore to make it 3-2 on the half-hour as Tom Kelly ghosted in at the far post to net.

A highly entertaining first half was marred three minutes before the break when Kelly lunged in on Wellington’s Jamie Short and was shown a straight red card for the challenge.

That left the visitors, who are moving to the Peninsular League at the end of the season, with a mountain to climb – made even harder when a Redrup cross-shot ended up in the net with the help of a deflection after 65 minutes.

But yet again the visitors refused to lie down and skipper Darren Veal made it 4-3 after a corner to set up a tense finish with Wellington closing the game out.

Wellington: Jake Viney, Nicky Ford, Tom Ellis, Scott Holland, Jack Adams, Jamie Short, Darren Rice, Tom Hopkins, Luke Redrup, Kyle Bassett, Corey Lewis. Substitutes: Joe Chamberlain and Max Westlake (used); Jamie Dingle and Joe Holmes (not used). Attendance: 50. Match sponsor: SP Services.