Warren Bagnall celebrated his first full game of the season by kick-starting Crawley's campaign with the only goal against Welling at Broadfield Stadium yesterday.

Bagnall pounced from close range in the 26th minute although the last touch appeared to come off defender John Farley.

But Crawley boss Billy Smith was happy to give the hard-working Bagnall credit for the goal which earned Crawley their first Dr Martens League premier division win of the season.

"From where I was it looked as if their defender had got a touch, but Warren is claiming it and I'm not going to argue," said Smith.

"I thought we deserved to win. We had to work hard by putting them under pressure all over the pitch, but I don't remember them creating too much."

Bagnall finished off a quality move from the home side which began with Ellis Hooper's 40 yard crossfield ball to Dave Stevens. He found Bagnall with a pass from the by-line and the former Lewes striker did the rest.

It was no more than injury-hit Crawley deserved. The absence of three players including skipper Peter Fear tested the strength in depth of their squad but Bagnall and former Albion youngster Kevin Hemsley, who was making his home league debut, showed they have plenty to offer.

Welling were without former Hastings striker Paul Jones as well as ex-Crawley captain Luke Anderson through injury while experienced goalscorer Gary Abbott left the club last week. As a result the visitors carried little threat up front although Russell Edwards should have done better when he glanced a free header wide of the post in the 58th minute from a corner taken by ex-Crawley midfielder Dave Powell.

Nik McDonnell came closest to extending Crawley's lead when Nigel Brake's superb pass left him unmarked in the box on 71 minutes but he could only lift his close range effort over the bar.

Bagnall, McDonnell and the third striker Dave Stevens all worked hard and although there was often a lack of quality in the final third, Reds looked solid enough at the back with goalkeeper Andy Little a spectator for long spells.

Brake, far more effective in a more central midfield role, just cleared the bar from 25 yards in the 83rd minute before he was replaced by Ernie Cooksey who made his home debut in the last six minutes.

Crawley: Little, Judge, Payne, Hooper, Pullan, Hemsley, Holmes, Bagnall, McDonnell, Stevens (sub: Cooksey 84), Brake (sub: Harkin 84). Unused subs: Patterson, Ottley, Hodge.

Welling: Knight, Lorraine, Farley, Howe, Edwards, Aboagye, Seabury (sub Parsons, 84), Searle, Nade, Standen (sub Sodje 63), Powell. Unused subs: Morrish, Simpson.

Attendance: 872.