After scoring thirteen goals in two cup games, Welling United paid the price for not taking their chances when crashing two a home defeat against Maidenhead United.

As well as missing chances, two defensive lapses also proved costly as the top of the tables Magpies took full advantage

Despite the gulf between the two teams in the league table, Welling played the better football and came out looking to impose themselves..

Dean Morgan's free kick tested Carl Pentney early on but he punched out well under pressure.

Clearly worried by the fact that Adam Coombes had scored six one week earlier, Maidenhead made no effort to hide the fact that any time he had space, they would bring him down. Twice, in the first twenty minutes, he was chopped with defenders making no attempt to play the ball.

Jordon Brown then flew in recklessly on James Comley. Referee Ian Fissenden waved play on and Brown got back to nick it off his toes whereupon Comley brought him down. Both were shown yellow cards.

Debutant Matt Fish then slid in a pass for Dan Walker but his touch was not firm enough and Pentney collected.

Another chance came the way of the hosts when Danny Waldren sent Coombes through but his low first time shot was saved by a diving Pentney.

Sean Marks fired well over with an ambitious effort from outside the box but James Mulley might have done better with a volley that sat up nicely for him soon after.

Fine flowing Welling football deserved a goal but Coombes was left desolate as his effort came back off the post with Pentney grasping at fresh air.

Fish then put over a cross that Walker could not keep down with his header.

Marks was cautioned for an ugly tackle and Fissenden equalled the numbers soon after by booking Fish.

Ali Fuseini was next to try his luck when he found himself in a good position but Alan Massey made a brave block which resulted in him requiring treatment.

Another good Welling move was almost rewarded just before the break. Walker broke before laying back to Morgan. His chip forward was headed back by Sam Hatton to Coombes, but for once, Welling's leading scorer rushed his shot and fired over.

They continued where they had left off after the interval and Waldren fired wide from the edge of the area.

Pentney was called into action again soon after saving at the second attempt from a Fish drive.

Finally, showing why they are top, the Magpies created a couple of chances.

First Marks headed over when unmarked from a corner, then Dave Tarpey was thwarted by a great save by Chris Lewington.

Things were made tougher for Welling when Rickie Hayles limped off ten minutes into the second half with Mitchell Nelson replacing him. Having already lost Dean Leacock, injured in the pre-match warm up, it meant that they were without both starting centre backs.

Once over that spell, Welling came back strongly again and Morgan headed wide from a Fish cross that was slightly too high.

After 62 minutes, Welling took a deserved lead. Another good passing move allowed Coombes to find Morgan. The Welling man steadied himself before firing low inside the far post.

Waldren then saw his deflected shot saved brilliantly by Pentney at the base of the post as Welling looked for the vital second.

Sean Francis came close with a header at a far post from a corner then Coombes struck the woodwork for the second time with a low free kick from 25 yards out.

Having missed those chances, they paid for it when Maidenhead equalised. Substitute Jordan Cox crossed and Marks rose at the far post to head home from close range.

Still, Welling continued to press and Fuseini brought another save out of Pentney.

Massey headed over at the near post from a corner for Maidenhead before Coombes was off target at the other end after Fuseini dummied Fish's cross.

Tarpey gave Welling a warning when bringing a save out of Lewington before putting the Magpies ahead with five minutes remaining after Brown had sliced a clearance into his own penalty area.

Into injury time, and Welling thought they had won a penalty when a Maidenhead defender appeared to handle from a corner but it wasn't to be and Maidenhead claimed the points to keep them clear at the top of the league.

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Brown (Della-Verde 87), Fuseini, Hayles (Nelson 56), Francis, Hatton, Waldren, Walker, Coombes, Morgan. Subs not used: Agu, Johnson, Slabber.