OMAR Elmougy’s late penalty handed title-chasing Welland a crucial 4-3 win at Falcons Reserves in Cheltenham Association League Division Three.

The villagers bounced back from the previous week’s 2-1 defeat to Dowty Dynamos and increased their lead at the top to four points.

Welland gradually felt their way into the game and twice struck the bar.

They went ahead on 25 minutes when Jamie Harding was upended in the box and Elmougy dispatched the penalty.

Falcons pressurised the visitors but Welland extended their lead a minute before half-time with a fine team goal.

Harding beat his man and crossed for Craig Tommey, who nodded down to James Lush and he cleverly back-heeled the ball for midfielder Paul Edwards to fire home.

The second-half saw Falcons look better than an eighth-placed team and they quickly punished Elmougy’s missed chance by pulling a goal back when Jon Williams turned a cross into his own net.

They soon levelled from the penalty spot after Ben Deakin was ruled to have handled the ball.

Welland could not get a grip and failed to pick up a player from a free-kick with the ball headed in to put the hosts ahead for the first time.

With 15 minutes left, Welland made a tactical change and Williams moved into midfield, instantly making amends for his own goal with a strike from the corner of the box.

Welland could sense a deserved winner, and good play from the ever-threatening Lush saw him upended for a penalty.

Elmougy kept his nerve and slotted home an 88th-minute winner for a hard-fought victory.

Welland visit lowly Pittville United in Cheltenham tomorrow.

Third-from-bottom Hanley Swan lost 3-1 at basement boys Kings in Division One, with James Beale netting.

They visit second-placed Lakeside tomorrow and are five points clear of Kings, who have four games in hand.

Upton Town slipped to ninth after a 4-3 defeat at Newton despite goals from Nicholas Chance and Luan Gashi.

Malvern Vale return to competitive action at Cheltenham Saracens thirds in Division Six tomorrow.