Chris Agutter said he loved what he saw from his Worthing side as they secured a win and clean sheet.

Rebels kick-started their home campaign in Vanarama National League south with a 1-0 success over Welling.

Mo Faal carefully guided home a low cut-back from Danny Cashman for the only goal on 69 minutes.

They had previously drawn 0-0 and lost 2-0 at home after starting their season with an impressive set of results on the road.

Agutter had criticised their defensive work ahead of the game and called for them to tighten up for the rest of the season.

They responded with a clean sheet amid a degree of relief around the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

Rebels boss Agutter said: “When you look at your team, you want it to reflect you to an extent.

“I am definitely not the most talented person in the world but I work hard and I am committed.

“You want to have a go, even though you might not the biggest puncher or the heavy weight or you are up against a stronger team.

“You want to fight and you want to give everything.

“I think as long as you give everything, you can never be too disappointed.

“I just thought that team reflected me an awful lot more.

“It reflected the staff because we are in at as a collective.

“I just liked the way the team went about its business.

“There was lots of pretty stuff and nice stuff but the big thing for me was we were a lot more dogged and robust and aggressive out of possession.

“It’s a 1-0 win and if you are going to do anything in any leagues, in any competitions, you have got to keep clean sheets.

“You have got to be able to grind out results.

“I don’t think we ground tonight out because I thought we were the better side throughout.

“But, when we needed dig in for the last couple of minutes when they were throwing the kitchen sink at us, we did so and I am proud of the lads.”

Faal was taken off soon after his goal but he has made a good impact after his recent arrival from .

Agutter said: “Mo has come in late and hasn’t had a pre-season so he is not fully fit.

“There’s a risk of throwing him in too quickly and then you end up losing him.

“He hasn’t completed a 90 minutes but he has already scored two goals in four games and he has got the winner tonight.

“He is nowhere near his best but he is still contributing and was a big factor in us winning tonight.”

Worthing stood strong in the face of late pressure – and Cashman almost added an extraordinary goal to his impressive collection right at the end.

The former Albion forward sent the ball goalwards from just outside his own penalty area with the Welling goalkeeper up in attack as the final whistle sounded.

Players and managers were shaking hands by the time the ball had rolled gently into the distant net.

But Worthing will happily take the 1-0.