Alex Harris made a triumphant return to the Welwyn Garden City first team with his first senior goal - snatching a late win in the Hertfordshire derby at Ware.

The defender had been out at Arlesey Town getting game time, playing in the 4-3 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division win at Crawley Green in midweek.

And ironically, he was seemingly set for an FA Vase match with the Blues at City's Herns Lane ground, against AFC Welwyn.

But the spate of injuries suffered by WGC meant boss Marc Weatherstone needed him.

And with fellow defender Harry Gallagher having picked up a yellow in a combative first-half at Wodson Park, Harris was brought on for the second 45, paving the way for his match-winning moment, two minutes into stoppage time.

With a draw looking inevitable, a Benji Crilley long throw was headed back to the thrower.

His cross into the box was overhit but Matty Whichelow retrieved it, slipped a neat ball to the overlapping Layne Eadie and from his accurate cross, Harris rose to head home and claim a 2-1 success.

The result lifts the Citizens into the Division One Central play-off places, putting them fifth with five wins from seven games.

Welwyn Garden City celebrate their late winner in front of their fans. Picture: HYWEL RHYS-WILLIAMSWelwyn Garden City celebrate their late winner in front of their fans. Picture: HYWEL RHYS-WILLIAMS (Image: Hywel Rhys-Williams) The victory was also against a Ware side that have suffered play-off agony in the past two seasons, and one that had started the season well enough.

The list of absences for Welwyn though simply added to the magnitude of the success.

Skipper Brad Wadkins was missing as was Charlie McDonald, Jack Green and Ryan Sellers.

They could welcome back top scorer Bailey Stevenson and Lewis Taaffe, both of whom were unavailable for the previous win at Thame.

There was also a debut for new signing Reece Cameron.

Bailey Stevenson goes round Fred Burbidge to score Welwyn's first goal at Ware. Picture: HYWEL RHYS-WILLIAMSBailey Stevenson goes round Fred Burbidge to score Welwyn's first goal at Ware. Picture: HYWEL RHYS-WILLIAMS (Image: Hywel Rhys-Williams)

WGC had marginally been on top in a tight first half that had seen the other goals of the afternoon.

Crilley had the first chance, heading an Eadie corner straight at former Potters Bar Town keeper Fred Burbidge, but they got their noses in front on 19 minutes.

Central defender Aiden Read won a powerful header, Cameron flicked it on and Stevenson raced away to go round Burbidge and bag his 10th of the season so far.

Stevenson was proving a constant menace to the Ware defence and a fine ball by Josh Bryant down the left put him in again, this time though his instant volley cleared the crossbar by inches.

Ware’s first attempt fell to Mayuma but his scuffed shot brought an easy save for Joe Welch.

And it was somewhat against the run of play when the hosts equalised eight minutes from the break.

A low cross from the right wasn’t cleared, Mayuma managed to squeeze it back to one-time WGC winger Joe Dearman, who placed his low effort beyond Welch and into the far corner.

The second-half saw little of the thrills and spills of the first and it became a war of attrition.

Little of note happened for 20 minutes until a hefty challenge on Cameron brought Lewis Thomas a second booking and red card.

The 10-men of the hosts almost snatched a victory late on themselves when Tim Okwusogo found himself in front of goal.

His point-blank shot though was somehow clawed away by Welch.

It was an outstanding save, and almost as important as Harris's winner, seven minutes later.

WGC: Welch, Otseh-Taiwo, Bryant (Whichelow 72), Crilley, Read, Kirwan (Ejjayha 72), Taaffe (H.Jones 86), Gallagher (Harris 46), Eadie, Stevenson, Cameron.

Sub (not used): Steel.