WEYMOUTH boss Mark Molesley heaped praise on the “character” of his squad after the Terras claimed an impressive 3-1 Vanarama National League South victory at Welling United.

Abdulai Baggie put Weymouth in front at the end of the first half before Anthony Cook levelled for an improved Welling.

But a Josh McQuoid penalty and a stoppage-time Jake McCarthy goal handed the Terras all three points for only their second win in six games.

For Molesley, the triumph was a perfect reaction to the 1-0 loss to Havant on New Year’s Day.

“The boys had to show every characteristic on the road,” he told Echosport.

“I sound like a broken record every week saying how tough every game is in this league – that certainly proved the case (on Saturday).

“Welling are surely in a false position with the quality of players they have. They had a real physical threat up front and a big, strong defence.

“We had to be at our best and first half I thought we were excellent, created some good chances and on another day could’ve gone in more than one goal up.

“Second half, they attacked their slope well with long throws, a lot of balls going into your box and a lot of physicality chasing and running after you.”

He added: “We had to stand up and be counted. We lost our way a little bit in the second half but that shows what character the boys had because we had to swing the momentum back our way.

“That’s always a tough thing to do away from home but the boys problem solved well and got themselves going in the game again.

“We showed a reaction after the Havant game, which was disappointing because we felt we played in that game.

“And the reaction shown in the (Welling) game as well. Once they equalised, the home team looked like taking the ascendancy, but we wrestled that back.”

Following the Havant loss, Molesley had called for Weymouth to show more ruthless finishing and the Terras’ manager was evidently pleased.

He said: “We had three different goalscorers and the pressure of another penalty – Josh stood up to that one.

“We also created other chances as well. Jordan Ngalo was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as well, he’s had one cleared off the line.

“The most important thing is the reaction from the Havant game but also during the game.

“We played some good football, we had to dig in deep and show that desire and determination.”

However, Molesley is further hampered by fresh ankle and back injuries to Josh Wakefield and Shaun Hobson respectively.

“We haven’t had the rub of the green with injuries,” Molesley said. “What excites me as a manager is giving opportunity to other players and seeing how they take it.

“We gave Ade (Olumuyiwa) his debut a few games ago and Mark Childs has now stepped up and done fantastically well.

“Jordan starting, he took his opportunity as well. We need all our players available, we’re missing a few.

“There are some key players for us. The strength in depth of the squad is stretched but people are standing up and taking their chances, which is brilliant.”