Disjointed Welling United tumbled to an unexpected defeat at home to Nuneaton Town on Saturday afternoon.

Current form pointed to a Welling home victory but the game did not pan out that way. Despite taking a second half lead, defensive errors proved costly and Nuneaton took advantage to end their run of nine games without a win.

David Hibbert had two opportunities early on but failed to trouble Lee Butcher with either.

Kurtis Guthrie headed just wide with a flicked header from Joe Healy’s free kick before James Belshaw made a comfortable save from Alex Dyer.

Belshaw’s next intervention was not as straight-forward as he had to make a full length save to keep out Ross Lafayette’s deflected shot.

Harry Beautyman was replaced by Loick Pires in the 37^th minute with a niggle that left him unable to continue which further disrupted the Welling team.

Lee Clarke had a chance at one end then Louis Moult headed wide at the other as a disappointing first half came to an end.

Clarke had Welling’s first chance of the second period but fired over after bringing down Dyer’s corner before the Wings opened the scoring in the 53^rd minute.

Theo Streete’s needless push on Ross Lafayette gave Welling’s leading scorer the opportunity to send Belshaw the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Having finally gone ahead, Welling threw their advantage away with sloppy defending which ended with James Armson finishing at the far post.

Manager Jamie Day responded by bringing on Kiernan Hughes-Mason for Guthrie and the substitute shot narrowly wide immediately.

Hughes-Mason and Dyer then combined to give Pires room on the wing and his low cross found Lafayette who poked just wide.

Clarke volleyed wide from a half cleared Dyer free kick before substitute Pires was carried off on a stretcher and had to be replaced by Callum Webb.

Nuneaton brought on Freddie Ladapo at the same time and the replacement burst through in injury time to lob Butcher for the winning goal.

 

Welling United: Butcher, Fazakerley, Gallagher, Dyer, Franks, Hudson, Beautyman ((Pires 37) Webb 85), Clarke, Guthrie (Hughes-Mason 62), Lafayette, Healy.

Unused substitutes: Williams, Ekim.

Nuneaton Town: Belshaw, Bell, Dean, Walker, Armson (York 83), Moult (Ladapo 86), Streete, Sleath, Gordon, Trainer, Hibbert.

Unused substitutes: Adams, Taylor, Delfouneso.

Referee: Dean Treleaven

Attendance: 807

Welling star man: Alex Dyer

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.