CONCORD Rangers boosted their hopes of reaching the National League South play-offs by sealing a 2-1 win over second-placed Woking.

First half goals from Alex Wall and Joan Luque put the Beach Boys on course for all three points at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Although Max Kretzschmer reduced the arrears with a Woking penalty, Sammy Moore’s Concord ran out deserved winners.

There was no goalmouth action in the opening 10 minutes and home fans were fearing the worse when Sam Ashford charged down a clearance from Woking goalkeeper Craig Ross.

The ball eventually fell to Luque, but the Spanish winger was unable to get a shot away as he was quickly swarmed by Cards defenders.

Wall, who was causing the Woking defenders problems early on due to his strength, saw a goalbound effort deflect wide soon after.

Connor Essam failed to turn a Taylor Maloney free-kick home when well placed, while Luque’s follow-up effort deflected into the path of Wall.

The frontman’s thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area clattered against the crossbar and Woking were fortunate to see the ball come off the back of Ross’ head before going behind with 25 minutes played.

Luque was also causing problems down Concord’s left wing and forced Ross into a diving save.

Concord deservedly broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, but Ross would have been disappointed not to keep the effort out.

Wall’s strike from an acute angle should have resulted in Ross making a routine save, but the shot squirmed under the Woking goalkeeper and trickled over the goal-line.

And Concord doubled their advantage just five minutes later as Luque’s spectacular strike from 30 yards out found the top corner of the net.

The Beach Boys thought they had made the best possible start to the second half when Wall turned the ball home from close range less than 30 seconds after the resumption, but the striker was adjudged to have been offside.

Kretzschmer should have halved the deficit after profiting from a Tyrone Sterling error, but Jed Smith came across to dispossess the attacker just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Concord goalkeeper Sam Beasant then made his first meaningful save to keep out Greg Luer moments later.

However, Woking were offered a way back into the encounter as Tosan Popo brought down substitute Paul Hodges and referee Jason Richardson pointed to the spot.

Kretzschmer stepped and converted the 65th minute penalty by firing down the middle of the goal.

Woking came close to finding a leveller as Hodges put a dangerous pass across the face of goal, but neither of the two Cards attackers could slide the ball home.

Ashford sent a diving header wide of the target after being found by Joe Gardner’s cross with less than five minutes remaining.

But Concord had done enough to secure all three points at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Concord Rangers: Beasant, Popo, Smith, Maloney, Essam, Sterling, Ashford (Abdulla 90), Blackman, Wall (Gardner 71), Midson, Luque (Minshull 76)