Toolstation League premier division: Ilfracombe Town 0, Wellington 2

Wellington made it ten points out of a possible 12 with a hard-earned win in North Devon last night (Tuesday, February 28th).

After three successive home games, the Tangerines went into the fixture on the back of two 4-0 defeats on their travels.

But they maintained their recent momentum to clinch the points with a pair of late goals, continuing their climb up the table.

Wellington made five changes to the side which shared a goalless draw with Street on Saturday – Shay Allen, Jack Bown-Porter, Glen Wright, Sully McKenna and Alfie Clark coming in for Harley Wilkinson, Alex Cherry, Eli Collins, Jamie Nicholson and Nathan Byrne.

On a bobbly pitch which made good football very difficult, Ilfracombe got off to a lively start.

Wellington lost defender Stefan Phillips early on to injury but enjoyed more of the play as the half continued as it ended goalless at the break.

Both sides had chances in the second half with McKenna poking over from close range and, at the other end, Allen producing three fine saves to keep it 0-0.

Ilfracombe became more frustrated as the game wore on and that was to be their downfall.

They had no fewer than three players sin binned for comments to the referee which meant they had to play the last 15 minutes with either nine or ten men.

Wellington took full advantage to score twice for victory – both from throw-ins by Bown-Porter.

He launched the ball into the box with ten minutes left and it was headed on by Tom Stone for McKenna to run in and head home.

Eight minutes later, the defender’s quick throw infield to Wright found the skipper in space and he advanced before sending an unstoppable long-range volley dipping over keeper Jimmy Thorne.

That was game over and the Tangerines moved up into 14th with at least a game in hand on the sides immediately above them.

They will be looking to make it nine league games unbeaten at home as they host Ashton and Backwell United at the Playing Field on Saturday.

But it will be a tough game as the visitors ran out 4-0 winners when the sides met at their ground early last month.

Wellington: Shay Allen, Stefan Philips, Tom Stone, Jason Quick, Jack Bown-Porter, Sully McKenna, Glen Wright, Ryan Brereton, Miles Quick, Jake Quick, Alfie Clark. Substitutes: Jamie Nicholson and Tom Burt (used); Eli Collins, Kelson Pollard and Tim Legg (not used).