Hopes of extending their six-match unbeaten league run were ended when Welling United were well beaten by St Albans City at Park View Road.

They started off reasonably well but once they went behind, they rarely looked like getting back into the match.

Devante Stanley had the first effort for the visitors when firing over from the edge of the penalty area before Welling came close when Amadou Kassarate met a Taylor Maloney corner with a firm header that Michael Johnson clawed out from under the bar, but nobody was following up to finish.

Johnson had to be out quickly to clear as Ade Azeez got in behind the Saints’ defence before Antony Papadopoulos cut in from the right wing and shot but Johnson got down well to save.

Sam Cox and Kassarate combined well down the right wing and Cox chipped a cross to the far post that was just too high for Maloney, and he couldn’t direct his header goal-wards.

At the other end Shaun Jeffers had a shot saved easily by Welling goalkeeper Myles Roberts before the hosts had another great chance, but an unmarked Azeez glanced a header wide from a Maloney free kick.

On the half hour mark, St Albans went ahead following a defensive howler. Maloney under-hit a back pass allowing Jeffers to round Roberts and slot into the empty net.

Maloney might have rectified his faux pas when set up by Devonte Aransibia, but he shot high over when well placed.

Two minutes before the break, St Albans went two up. Another defensive howler allowed Joe Neal a free run on goal. Roberts rushed out and made a good tackle, but it fell to Zane Banton who took a couple of touches before floating it into the empty net from thirty yards.

In first half injury time Papadopoulos squared to Aransibia, but he shot over before Neal created a chance for Jeffers, but Roberts made a great save.

Early in the second half Neal shot wide of the near post before Papadopoulos nodded a corner back across goal but Manny Parry headed wide.

Joy Mukena created a great chance for the visitors with a low cross, however Banton and Tafari Moore got in each other’s way, and neither was able to get a shot away. At the other end Papadopoulos shot wide of the near post.

Huw Dawson fired over after Banton pulled it back before Welling debut substitute Yaser Kasim was off target with a free kick.

James Dunne had a shot blocked by Moore before St Albans missed a good chance when Stanley stabbed wide from Jeffers’ low cross.

Azeez should have had a penalty in the final minute when a drop by Johnson let him in and the Saints’ goalkeeper pulled his legs away, but nothing was given. The Saints took full advantage in the fourth minute of stoppage time when George Morrell pulled it back and Jeffers swept it home.

Welling United: Roberts, Cox, Ezennolim, Aransibia (Francis 52), Sendles White, Parry, Maloney, Dunne, Azeez, Papadopoulos (Olomowewe), Kassarate (Kasim).

Subs not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Dickens.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Sendles-White, Cox

St Albans City: Johnson, Mukena, Moore, Wiltshire, Clark, Di Trilio, Stanley, Dawson (Isaac 90+2), Jeffers, Neal (Sundire 80), Banton (Morrell 90+2).

Subs not used: Cardines, Paul.

Goalscorers: Jeffers (30) (90+4), Banton (43)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Andrew Humphries

Assistants: Abdul Kadir and Jeffrey Aldous

Attendance: 956

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.