There was more disappointment for Welling United as they were beaten at home by Eastbourne Borough.
They conceded from a dubious penalty in the fifth minute and looked short of confidence for the rest of the first half but, after Rod Stringer made changes, the Wings pummelled the Eastbourne goal and were unfortunate to come away empty handed.
Former Wing George Alexander was deemed to have been fouled in the penalty area by Rhys Lovett in just the fourth minute, although it appeared that the Welling goalkeeper had punched the ball first. Referee Jack Bloxham thought otherwise and awarded a spot kick and Alexander stepped up to put it into the corner beyond a full length Lovett.
Martell Taylor-Crossdale whipped in a low cross towards Anointed Chukwu but he was eased away and could not apply the finish.
Moussa Diarra headed home at the near post for the visitors but the referee had already blown his whistle for an Eastbourne foul. Alexander then sent Yahaya Bamba through and he tried to slot it inside the far post however Lovett stuck out his left foot to make a great save.
Pierce Bird hurled in a throw that was nodded on by Diarra and it fell to Michael Klass whose shot came out off the underside of the crossbar.
As the first half came to a close, Welling had their effort on target, a Mitchel Bergkamp shot that was saved easily by Joe Wright then the Sports’ goalkeeper did well to cut out a low cross by Alex Lankshear.
After the interval. Anthony Grant did well to force Klass wide however, he still got a shot away from a tight angle and Chiori Johnson had to be alert to clear it off the line.
From that point onwards, Welling started to apply some pressure and had a succession of corners that the visitors had to defend. Two brave blocks kept out Welling shots before it fell to Charlie Pegrum whose effort went just wide.
Lankshear had a call for a penalty turned away after he appeared to be pulled back in the area then Taylor-Crossdale curled over from wide on the left.
Pegrum again came close with a shot that was deflected inches wide. From the subsequent corner, Dave Winfield had a header that was nodded over his own bar by Alexander. Dan Martin then delivered from the left and Winfield again won it with a powerful header that was saved brilliantly by Wright.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Eastbourne nullified the threat of Winfield by hauling him into the ground but the referee ignored Welling’s justified claims causing Welling Assistant Manager, Kevin Watson, to express his dissatisfaction in such a manner that he was shown a yellow ticket.
Time was running out when Welling won yet another corner and Lovett went up to join the attack. Martin delivered, and the Wings’ goalkeeper won it but was dismayed to see his header fly just over.
That proved to be the last chance of the match leaving Rod Stringer, Welling’s manager, to consider what he can do to halt the current bad spell.
Welling United: Lovett, Johnson (Donkor 61), Martin, Burchell, Winfield, Lankshear, Bergkamp (Pegrum 65), Kennedy, Chukwu (Long 80), Taylor-Crossdale, Grant (Cornish (85). Sub not used: Statham.
Goalscorers: None.
Yellow cards: Johnson, Watson.
Eastbourne Borough: Wright, Clarke, Sesay, Barry, Diarra, Bird, Williams (Johnson 78), Odusanya, Alexander (Quick 90+6), Bamba (Ligendza 80), Klass (Pavey 87). Sub not used: Pitblado.
Goalscorer: Alexander pen (5).
Yellow cards: Williams, Clarke.
Referee: Jack Bloxham
Assistants: Jamie Jadvirsis and Josh Burns
Fourth Official: Michael Robertson-Tant
Attendance: 726
Images courtesy of Dave Budden