Welling United were unable to recover from a dreadful first half and slumped to defeat at Eastbourne Borough.

Charlie Walker and Stephane Bombeuenga scored the first half goals and Moses Emmanuel’s late strike was purely a consolation.

Nathan Green had the first chance of the game when meeting Rob Swaine’s header from Anthony Cook’s free kick but Eastbourne’s goalkeeper coach, making his first appearance for three years, made the save.

Poor defending of a Nick Wheeler cross allowed Dean Cox a shooting opportunity but he snatched wide then Charlie Walker was allowed too much space but he fired high and wide.

Theo Widdrington had a shot saved easily before Eastbourne went ahead. Cox crossed and Chiori Johnson could only head out as far as Walker who fired first time into the bottom corner.

Further disappointing defending resulted in Welling going two down. Wheeler was allowed to get another cross in but it didn’t look threatening. However,  Bombeuenga had other ideas and got in front of his man to poke home.

Almost immediately after the break, Welling changed formation and substitute Emmanuel had a deflected shot saved before sending Cook clear but his shot went just wide of the near post with the goalkeeper beaten.

At the other end Dan Wilks got across well to make a good save from a long shot by Kristian Campbell.

Montel Agyemang sent Dipo Akinyemi away but he was unable to mark his debut with a goal as his drive flew wide of the near post. He then tried his luck with a volley from twenty-five yards but, once again, he was off target.

Walker twice fired well off target before Welling missed another great chance. A long clearance by Dan Wilks was not cut out and Korrey Henry broke through but he appeared to lose his balance and fired well wide.

Deep into injury time Emmanuel reduced the arrears with a fierce finish but there wasn’t time to mount another attack.

Eastbourne Borough: Chalmers-Stevens, Adebayo-Rowling, Campbell, Willis, Khinda-John, Gayle, Cox (Adebowale 85), Ferry, Walker, Bombeuenga (Hanson 49), Wheeler (West 89).

Subs not used: Gharbaoul, Blackmore. 

Goalscorers: Walker (23), Bombeuenga (38)

Welling United: Wilks, Johnson (Emmanuel 52), Green, Waldren, Swaine, Rich-Baghuelou, Cosgrave (Henry 66), Agyemang, Akinyemi (Goldberg 66), Widdrington, Cook.

Subs not used: McCallum, Anderson

Goalscorers: Emmanuel (95)

Yellow cards: Waldren, Cook

Referee: Daniel Lamport

Assistants: Peter Lowe and Robert Ablitt

Attendance: 486