There was further woe for Welling United as they stumbled to defeat at promotion chasing Chelmsford City.

Once again, they drew a blank in front of goal, despite having plenty of possession, and paid the price as the hosts claimed the three points.

Reice Charles-Cook, Welling’s goalkeeper, was called into early action when saving Luke Jenkins’ header at close range from Samir Carruthers’ corner.

Jenkins had another chance soon after when Josh Castiglione’s cross was cleared into his path but he struck his first time effort wide. David Kamara got in behind at the other end but Henry Gray made himself big and blocked with his left leg.

Just after the midway point of the first half, the Clarets went ahead. There didn’t look to be anything untoward in a challenge in the penalty area but Jermaine Francis went to ground and referee Morgan Conn pointed to the spot.

The Welling players were stunned and Joe Ellul was cautioned for being too forthright with his opinion. That didn’t bother Carruthers who fired home emphatically.

Antony Papadopoulos collected a defensive header from Dave Winfield and tried his luck with a first time shot but it was too straight and Gray saved comfortably before an excellent Papadopoulos pass sent Adam Roscrow clear.

He tried to flick it beyond Gray but his effort lacked conviction and the Chelmsford goalkeeper was able to save.

Dominic Odusanya shot over after Kamara’s shot was blocked out before Chelmsford had the last chance of the half when Freddie Hockey looked to be clear until Lachlan Byrd came across to make a brilliantly timed last ditch challenge.

After the interval, Carruthers tried his luck with a shot that drew a regulation save out of Charles-Cook. Roscrow hit a shot at the other end that went through the legs of Winfield and Gray had to be alert to hold on to it.

Finley Barbrook had a long range shot that Charles-Cook saved well low to his right before clever skills by TJ Bramble created space for Cameron Green to cross and pick out Papadopoulos who headed wide.

Charles-Cook then kept Welling in the game when he made a stunning save from Jenkins’ header from another Carruthers dead ball delivery before Welling stepped up the tempo. Byrd headed wide from Green’s free kick then Jack Burchell’s low cross found Roscrow who was unable to get a shot away.

He came closer soon after when meeting a Papadopoulos cross with a first time shot that whistled wide before Gray made a routine save from Bramble’s shot.

Papadopoulos almost caught Gray out with a free kick from wide left that he tried to beat him at the near post. Gray was not to be beaten though and he somehow kept it out. It came back out to Papadopoulos who shot first time but Gray was up quickly to save. Again it fell to Papadopoulos and again he shot but once more the hosts’ goalkeeper was equal to it.

Odusanya chipped in a cross towards the far post that Ellul met at full stretch so couldn’t garner sufficient power to trouble Gray.

That was Welling’s last chance and Francis might have added a second for Chelmsford in stoppage time but shot just wide of the far post.

On Saturday, Welling visit Hemel Hempstead Town whose manager, Brad Quinton, was watching from the main stand, knowing that they have to turn territorial advantage into goals if they are to remain in the division.

Chelmsford City: Gray, James, Castiglione, Watts, Winfield, Jenkins, Francis, Carruthers (Alfa 69), Ruff (Jones 79), Hockey, Barbrook (Ochieng 54).

Subs not used: Brookes, Wordsworth.

Goalscorers: Carruthers pen (25)

Yellow cards: Barbrook, Ochieng

Welling United: Charles-Cook, Lema (Burchell 46), Green, Grant, Ellul, Byrd, Bramble (Johnson 77), Odusanya, Roscrow (Muwonge 83), Kamara, Papadopoulos.

Subs not used: Curran, Bridgeman.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow card: Ellul, Roscrow

Referee: Morgan Conn

Assistants: Andrew Tregoning and James Hall

Attendance: 625

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.