Hopes of recording back to back victories were dashed for Welling United when beaten at home by Braintree Town.

James Dunne and Stefan Payne were out suspended and Taylor Maloney was absent through injury.

Dylan Gavin and Aaron Powell have returned to their parent clubs so Welling had two new signings, Abel Vendrells-Parcerisa and Christie Pattisson, on the bench.

Early on the Wings looked good and might have gone ahead when George Alexander’s cute pass put Chi Ezennolim in behind. His low driven cross demanded a tap in but nobody had enough desire to throw themselves at it.

Amadou Kassarate then played it in to Cameron Andrews and he fired into the side netting.

In the twenty-third minute, Taylor Curran had to be withdrawn, and with no natural defensive midfield fit or available, Andrews was asked into playing the unfamiliar role. However, that wasn’t the reason that Welling went behind two minutes later.

Chris Regis launched a free kick forward, Alfie Pavey headed it on, and Aaron Blair fired home from the edge of the area.

George Alexander shot wide of the far post from Azeez’s pull back before the Iron came close again. Blair’s cross was deflected giving Pavey a free header but Myles Roberts made a brilliant one handed reaction save.

There was little further goalmouth action until just after the hour mark when Braintree scored again.

Substitute Alfie Matthews delivered a free kick that Roberts was unable to hold and Baris Altintop was on hand to bundle home.

It might have been worse for the Wings when, from their own corner, Blair burst away and fired low across goal. Roberts struggled to reach it but there was nobody on hand to finish.

Although Welling’s disciplinary record is poor, the red card that they suffered eighteen minutes from time was very harsh. Kassarate had already been cautioned when he attempted to hook it away and he caught a Braintree player.

Incredibly, a second yellow card was shown and he was forced to troop off. Kyron Farrell delivered the free kick but Pavey headed over.

As the game reached the latter stages, Roberts got down well to save Pavey’s near post shot and Welling didn’t have another goal effort until injury time. A free kick was nodded out as far as Kyrell Lisbie but he fired well over.

Warren Feeney will be looking for a reaction on Saturday when Welling entertain Chippenham Town.

Welling United: Roberts, Howard (Parry 78), Ezennolim, Curran (Lisbie 23), Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Kassarate, Elito, Alexander, Azeez, Andrews (Pattisson 68).

Subs not used: Barnes, Vendrells-Parcerisa.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Alexander, Azeez, Kassarate

Red card: Kassarate (72)

Braintree Town: Sims; Davies, Regis (Farrell 70), Altintop, White, Clements, Turner, Payne, Pavey, Blair (Boachie 79), Reynolds (Matthews 60).

Subs not used: Kennedy, Rush.

Goalscorers: Blair (25), Altintop (63)

Yellow cards: Blair, Davies, Matthews, Altintop

Referee: Matthew Norton

Assistants: Rudin Preca and Tolu Sangowawa

Attendance: 464

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.