DESPITE being without a string of players through injury and suspension, Wellington came from behind to beat St Blazey 3-1 away in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League.

Manager Richard Cherry was without the likes of skipper Kieran Bailey and midfielders Glen Wright and Sam Towler.

But in a repeat of their last away game at Torpoint two weeks earlier, Phil Mendonca stepped off the bench to score two late goals and clinch the points.

The match began with both teams testing each other, but it was St Blazey who struck first through Ryan Downing’s low shot.

Wellington nearly hit back straight away as Mark Cornish’s effort went wide and the teams headed into the break with the visitors trailing 1-0.

The second half kicked off with St Blazey maintaining some early pressure, but the turning point in the match came just after the hour mark when Downing received a red card for an off-the-ball incident.

This shifted the momentum in Wellington’s favour and their persistence paid off in the 75th minute as Jake Quick headed home the equaliser after his brother Jason had headed a corner back across goal.

The visitors, buoyed by their goal and numerical advantage, pressed forward in search of a winner.

With just two minutes remaining, the match turned decisively in Wellington’s favour.

Mendonca, who had come off the bench to replace the injured Nathan Byrne, found himself in the right place at the right time to fire a powerful shot past the St Blazey keeper, giving the Tangerines a 2-1 lead.

But the drama didn’t end there. Just a minute later, Mendonca showcased his determination by charging down the keeper’s clearance and executing a cheeky backheel to secure a stunning third goal for Wellington.

There was still time for sub keeper Rob Hall to make a cameo appearance – his first after two years out with injury – out on pitch.

As the whistle blew, Wellington celebrated a well-deserved victory, showing their fighting spirit and ability to adapt under pressure.

Wellington:Jake Viney, Sam Sheldrake Mark Cornish, Tom Stone, Jason Quick, Ryan Hibbert, Sam Gleeson, Josh Lukins, Harry Scott, Jake Quick, Nathan Byrne. Substitutes: Phil Mendonca, Chris Ormerod, Rob Hall (all used).

Meanwhile, elsewhere Welton Rovers lost for the 13th gime in the league this season when they went down 4-1 at home to Buckland Athletic, despite a spirited display.

It enabled Buckland to move up to fifth in the table with games in hand on all the teams above them.

Second-placed Barnstaple Town maintained the pressure at the top of the table, beating AFC St Austell 4-2 at home. It meant they closed the gap on leaders Clevedon Town to only two points with a crucial game in hand.