It was another disappointing afternoon for Welling United as they crashed at home to Dulwich Hamlet.

Their festive season revival seems to be well in the past now that they have suffered two defeats in a row.

Daniel Nkrumah’s loan recall by Leyton Orient was a blow to the Wings, but it was softened by Dylan Gavin who has joined from Charlton Athletic, initially on a one-month deal.

He showed what he could bring to Welling in the opening exchanges. He flicked a pass by Aaron Barnes past Ronnie Vint and although he gave him a few yards start, he left the centre back in his wake as he raced to the bye-line. Gavin pulled it back, but former Bromley defender Jack Holland got across to clear at the expense of a corner.

Johl Powell had Dulwich’s first opportunity when he twisted and turned to make space for himself before shooting just wide then Nana Owusu’s free kick came back out off the Welling defensive wall into the path of Kershnic Krasniqi who fired well over.

Great pressing by Ade Azeez forced an error out of Charlie Grainger, however the Welling striker was unable to lift it over the goalkeeper and he was able to claim a tame shot.

With under ten first half minutes remaining, Welling took the lead. Aaron Barnes sent over a cross, and Grainger looked concerned immediately, and with good reason as it looped over him and into the net.

Gavin then tried his luck from wide and Grainger made a flying save. Taylor Maloney’s corner wasn’t cleared, and it fell for the returning Chi Ezennolim who fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

In the latter stages of the first half, the visitors enjoyed some good possession. Danny Mills had a shot deflected past the post before Joe Felix shot wide of the near upright after George Porter had done well to keep the attack alive. In the third minute of stoppage time, Dulwich levelled.

Profiting from a needless foul, Frankie Raymond smashed a free kick straight into the wall. It fell into the path of Will Wood who looked suspiciously offside. He did not worry about that though, firing home before looking to see that there was no flag raised before celebrating.

Under thirty second half seconds had been played when Dulwich went ahead. A mix-up in the Welling defence gifted it to Powell and he slotted it inside the post.

Krasniqi tried his luck when cutting in from the left, but his shot was saved comfortably by Kai McKenzie-Lyle before the match became a midfield skirmish, complete with a few flashpoints.

Eleven minutes remained when Welling had another chance, and they took full advantage of it. A Maloney free kick fell into the path of Amadou Kassarate who poked it towards goal. Grainger could only push it up, and Azeez was on hand to knock it home.

Looking for a quick response, Owusu sent over a deep cross that Mills met with a towering header that he couldn’t keep down. Welling then had an opportunity at the other end when they won a corner.

Maloney delivered to the edge of the penalty area and Antony Papadopoulos struck his volley sweetly, but just over.

Holland put Dulwich back ahead with two minutes remaining when meeting a corner with a powerful header. Six additional minutes were signalled giving Welling hope of getting something out of the game.

However, as they threw men forward, they left themselves open on the break and the contest was ended when substitute Daniel Smith broke through and gave McKenzie-Lyle no chance with a composed finish.

On Tuesday, Welling will travel to Chippenham Town, weather permitting, looking for a quick response.

Welling United: McKenzie-Lyle, Jones, Powell, Dunne (Elito 76), Parry, Sendles-White, Maloney, Ezennolim (Papadopoulos 60), Azeez, Gavin, Kassarate.

Sub not used: Howard, Jones, Andrews.

Goalscorers: Barnes, Azeez (79)

Yellow cards: Dunne, Maloney, Barnes, Azeez

Dulwich Hamlet: Grainger, Felix, Wood (Taylor 64), Krasniqi, Holland, Vint, Raymond, Powell, Mills, Porter (Smith 71), Raymond.

Subs not used: Comley, Jones, Hibbert.

Goalscorers: Wood (45+3), Powell (46). Holland (88), Smith (90+2)

Yellow cards: Wood. Mills, Raymond

Referee: Aaron Farmer

Assistants: Rudin Preca, Jeff Aldous

Attendance: 1,521

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.