Albion youngster Bailey Smith has been told there is even better to come after he helped Worthing return to winning ways.

Rebels showed patience to break down a stubborn Welling side 2-0 in Vanarama National League south.

Smith, signed recently on loan from the Albion academy, played wide on the right and was fouled for the 70th-minute penalty from which sub Ollie Pearce calmly made the breakthrough.

A cutback by Smith, 18, was then swept home in some style by Ricky Aguiar, on loan from Swindon, to make sure of the points.

Worthing had struggled to create much danger in the first half but turned up the power in the second and were worthy winners.

The result and performance were a good response to the 4-0 defeat at Billericay on Saturday and took them level on points at the top of the table.

Rebels boss Adam Hinshelwood said: “It was pleasing off the back of that to keep a clean sheet and it was a good performance as well, I thought.

“All credit to the players for how they responded.”

Welling boss Danny Bloor had his side well-organised against opponents he believes will win the league.

Hinshelwood said: “I think we are going to get a lot of that.

“Teams see how we play and they know, if they come at us, there are going to be spaces and we have got some real quality now that can hurt them.

“In the first eight games we have had a real mix of teams getting into a good block and teams coming to press.

“That’s the challenge. We had to be patient. I told the lads to be calm, keep believing and we came up with a little bit of quality.”

Smith has signed on loan for the rest of 2023 and made a favourable impression on his home debut.

Hinshelwood said: “Bailey’s pace and power causes some problems.

“He is probably not as pretty on the eye as Danny Cashman or Ricky Aguiar but what he does is really effective.

“I think there is only going to be better to come from him.”

Cashman, the former Albion youngster, made a lively debut operating in an advanced midfield position.

He has signed for Rebels after parting company with Coventry City.

Hinshelwood said: “I think he showed his quality.

“He has always kept in touch and if there was that opportunity to get him on loan you are going to take it.

“But to actually get him here as our player makes him a real asset.

“We want to try and get the best out of him.

“I want him, same as Bailey, to enjoy their football and I think there are better things to come from both of them.”