Home defeat to promotion chasing Grimsby Town left Welling United in serious strife in the relegation zone.

There were team changes aplenty from the Wings team that were well beaten at Barnet one week earlier. Injury to Sam Berry and suspension for Chris Bush meant Loui Fazakerley was forced into making changes. Harry Osborne came in at centre half with Reece Harris reverting to left back.

Joe Healy returned in midfield following his three match ban whilst, up front, Ross Lafayette returned on loan from Luton to partner new striker Tarshan Adeyinka.

Any hopes that Welling had of frustrating the visitors were scuppered when they went ahead in just nine minutes. Nathan Arnold found space down the right wing before putting in a low cross that was tucked away by Ollie Palmer.

Arnold then fired over before Healy's cross was just too high for Lafayette.

Lenell John-Lewis got through but Osborne got back well to make a great block.

Adeyinka fired over before being involved in a key moment of the game. Apparently pulled back in the area, the assistant referee at that end signalled for a penalty. Referee David Rock went over to consult him before over ruling him and allowing Grimsby to benefit from an uncontested drop ball.

Shortly before the break, a foul on Lafayette went unpunished and Grimsby broke away. Arnold went clear and fired in a shot that was turned away brilliantly by Welling goalkeeper Jonathan Henly.

Shaun Pearson met the resultant corner with s firm header that was turned over by Henly, but he was powerless to keep out Pearson's header from the next corner as Craig Disley blocked him off.

After the break, Welling came close to reducing the arrears when Dominic Vose whipped in a free kick that clattered the crossbar.

Although Welling enjoyed more of the ball in the second period, Arnold had another chance for the visitors but fired over, then Henly made another save from John-Lewis.

Having been taken down by a tough challenge a few minutes earlier, Sam Corne was replaced by Kieron St. Aimie as the Wings changed to a 4-3-3 formation.

Michael Chambers had a header tipped over from a Vose corner before the dead ball specialist smashed a free kick over the bar.

Carl Magnay blasted over a long range effort for Grimsby before Welling swept forward again.

Jake Gallagher's effort was blocked out as far as Healy, but he was unable to keep his follow up shot under the bar.

Vose had a low shot well by James McKeown before Palmer headed over for Grimsby when well placed.

One more chance, made for himself, was fired wide of the near post.

Whilst victory for the Mariners moved them into second place, just one point off top place, Welling's loss left them seven points from safety with just six games remaining.

Welling United: Henly, Williams, Harris, Gallagher, Osborne, Chambers, Corne (St. Aimie 64), Vose, Lafayette, Adeyinka, Healy. Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Taylor, Fagan, Young.