Hopes that Welling United had to improve on their decent home record were dashed with a disappointing defeat against Eastbourne Borough.

There was less than a minute on the board when Joel Rollinson got in behind and was fouled by Maxwell Statham at the cost of a free kick and yellow card. James Hammond took the free kick and whipped it just over the bar.

At the other end, Joe Muscatt picked out Kristian Campbell from a corner but his first time volley flew wide. However, soon after, the Sports were back on the attack and Charley Kendall went clean through but Jack Sims burst out to make a fine save.

Rollinson met a deep cross at the far post but the angle was against him before he got in behind again but Statham got back to block his shot. It was then Kendall’s time to get beyond Welling’s back line again but Bradley Pearce was able to get in the way of his shot.

Charlie Walker eased into the penalty area and was deemed to have been fouled by Aaron Barnes and a spot kick was awarded. Hammond stepped up but Sims went the right way to make his second penalty save in two weeks.

No further opportunities were created in the first half and Campbell had the first attempt of the second period but his shot was deflected wide. 

Jack Currie went on a long run for Eastbourne and the Welling defence backed off allowing him a clear sight at goal but Sims dived to turn his shot around the post. 

Just shy of the hour mark, Eastbourne went ahead. A long ball out sent Kendall clear down the right and he burst past the last man with relative ease before cutting in and firing home beyond a helpless Sims.

Muscatt flashed a shot just wide of the far post before Eastbourne survived a big appeal for a penalty when Steven James appeared to block a cross with the help of an arm. Walker headed wide from Rollinson’s cross as the game became more stretched.

Substitute Danny Parish finally worked Lee Worgan in the Eastbourne goal when meeting Tom Derry’s header with a header of his own but he could only try and place it without power and Worgan was able to get down and turn it around the post.

Dipo Akinyemi came on as a late substitute following a month out injured and almost marked his return with a goal when hooking just wide but as Welling searched for an equaliser they got caught at the back again in the last minute. Kendall crossed from the right and substitute was all alone at the far post to fire home. 

Wings’ manager Peter Taylor will now have to pick his team up ahead of the difficult next game away to Dorking Wanderers. 

Welling United: Sims, Barnes (Parish 69), Campbell, Statham (Akinyemi 80), Pearce, Penney, Muscatt, Durojaiye, Derry, Stevenson (Saunders-Henry 62), Shokunbi.

Subs not used: Ezennolim, Drais.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Statham

Eastbourne Borough: Worgan, Elliott, Currie, Hammond, Mahorn, James, Luer, Perez (Towning 83), Walker, Kendall, Rollinson (Hutchinson 75).

Subs not used: Lambert, Beresford, Oyinsan. 

Goalscorers: Kendall (58), Hutchinson (90)

Yellow cards: Kendall

Referee: Callum Walchester

Assistants: Mark Chakley and Paul Burnham

Attendance: 492