After a hectic last day in the transfer window, Dean Frost chose to start just one of his new signings for Welling United's game at Braintree Town.

Centre back Ian Gayle came straight into the game with Welling missing three centre backs through and saw immediately the task in hand.

Dan Sparkes created an early opportunity for himself but fired over from 20 yards.

However, he could hardly believe his luck a few minutes later when awful defending allowed a regulation cross to be sliced into his path ten yards out and he fired home with ease.

Despite the set back, Welling came back and Kadell Daniel tested Braintree goalkeeper Michael Crowe from outside the area.

Then Xavier Vidal attempted a first time effort with Crowe out of position but Matt Fry got back to clear off the line.

Another Daniel shot kept Crowe busy as Welling looked to recover from the early setback.

There was still danger at the other end, however, and Barney Williams made a brave header from a dangerous in swinging corner.

Gayle had a header saved at one end then Marek Rodak made a comfortable save from 10 at the other end.

That proved to be the last the Welling supporters were to see of their new centre half as an awful high elbow from Sean Marks left the defender with a nasty facial injury. Although the referee missed the incident, the assistant did not and Marks was dismissed.

Attempted repairs to Gayle proved futile and he had to be substituted with Nortei Nortey replacing him.

As the two teams got to grips with the situation, the game became scrappy with few chances at either end.

However, Welling came desperately close to equalising in injury time when Harry Lee's shot from long range bounced down off the crossbar.

Again, Welling came close from the corner but Nortey's shot flew just the wrong side of the post.

Neither side made changes at the break and Sim Akinola tried an audacious long range effort for Braintree in the early moments but it flew well over.

Despite the numerical advantage, Welling struggled to break down the well drilled Iron team and Akinola came close to increasing Braintree's lead with a crisp volley that was well held by Marek.

Finally, Welling got behind the Braintree defence but Michael Bakere's shot hit the inside of the post, rolled across the face of goal and went out.

Noah Chesmain crossed for Bakare but he was unable to make a clean connection and Crowe tidied up.

Luke Wanadio was introduced for his first taste of the action with ten minutes to go but to no avail and Welling remained five points adrift of safety.

Welling United: Rodak,Williams, Chesmain, Ferry, Chambers, Gayle (Nortey 39), Daniel, Lee, Bakare, Vidal (Wellard 57), Harris (Wanadio 79). Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Kabba.