COMING into the match top of the league, Welling United visited a determined Weston-super-Mare side that was keen to demonstrate their own promotion credentials.
Despite starting strongly, Welling failed to hurt their hosts and once Weston went ahead the Wings struggled against a team, keen to knock them off their perch.
Kayne McClaggon fired over early on and Welling’s first opening came after Anthony Acheampong had made a big headed clearance, from which the visitors were able to counter, ending with the Wings’ winning the first corner of the match.
Two half chances fell to Joe Healy.
The first was deflected away, followed by a shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Jack Obersteller slung in a free-kick which Kiernan Hughes-Mason headed back for Jake Gallagher to put in an effort which was saved by Lloyd Irish.
Martin Slocombe was cautioned for petulance before Anton Alvarez had a free-kick claimed by Sam Mott.
After Jamie Day put a free-kick wide, the Seagulls were awarded a penalty for an offence which appeared to have taken place outside the area.
However, justice was served when Ross Stearn fired wide.
Another eccentric decision caused Jamie Day to quiz Mr Cook sufficiently to earn a caution.
Alvarez belted another effort miles over before Weston went ahead on the stroke of half-time as Sam Mott made a magnificent save, only for Jamie Laird to follow up and finish.
Time wasting almost came back to hurt the hosts when Ben Martin headed wide before.
Early in the second half, Day planted a free-kick over the bar before Weston came close through a Dayle Grubb cross which McClaggon failed to convert.
Ross Lafayette had a shot saved from out wide before Gallagher played a one-two with him but was pulled back for offside as he netted.
Lee Clarke had an effort deflected wide and after Hughes-Mason was hacked to the ground, Day's free-kick was pushed away by Irish at full stretch.
De’Reece Vanderhyde troubled Weston with raids down the right in support of the midfield as he continued to impress.
An injury to Healy saw him replaced by Theo Fairweather-Johnson and then Kurtis Guthrie came on for Hughes-Mason before an ugly foul by Laird earned him a caution.
Day’s free-kick was headed over by Martin, while Jack Obersteller’s free-kick caused chaos and Martin won the loose ball but could not find anyone to finish.
Laird was shown a second yellow card for another cynical foul before Irish’s time wasting antics exhausted the patience of the referee and earned him a yellow card.
In an attempt to get something out of the game, Welling threw players forward and got caught by a sucker punch in injury time.
Grubb picked up possession on the left and advanced unchallenged before firing home at the near post.
Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt
Welling United: Mott, Vanderhyde, Obersteller, Day, Martin Acheampong, Gallagher, Clarke. Hughes-Mason (Guthrie 64), Lafayette, Healy (Fairweather-Johnson 61). Subs not used: Franks, Kinch, Turner
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here