Defeat at home to Gateshead left Welling United in a desperate situation at the wrong end of the league table.

Once again, they looked the better side until conceding but rarely troubled their visitors after that.

They started brightly and Michael Bakare pulled his marker out before spinning back in and firing in a shot that was saved by Sam Russell.

Noah Chesmain, Reece Harris and Scott Kashket then combined well to make space for Luke Wanadio but his shot from twenty yards flew over the bar.

Barney Williams then crossed from the right but Nortei Nortey was just off target with a first time effort.

Once again, Williams was in attacking action when moving in from the wing before curling wide of the far post from the edge of the penalty area,

Harris then floated in a free that evaded everyone but Russell was alert enough to stop it from sneaking in.

Finally, Gateshead registered an effort when Gus Mafuta collected a half clearance, but his first time effort flew over.

Kashket stretched the Gateshead defence once more before laying off to Harris but his shot flew over.

Another patient Welling build up allowed Ibrahim Kargbo a shooting opportunity but he, too, shot over.

Totally against the run of play, and with just their second attempt of the match, Gateshead went ahead with one first half minute remaining. Paddy McLaughlin's free kick was flicked on and an unmarked Alex Whitmore headed home at the far post.

Soon after the break, Welling had a great chance to equalise when Bakare finally got beyond the back four but he shot straight at Russell who blocked away for Welling's only corner of the match.

Wanadio delivered but Ian Gayle was unable to keep his near post header down.

After that they looked flat and rarely seemed likely to trouble Gateshead again.

Josh Gillies fired high over the bar then Ryan Bowman also troubled dog walkers in Danson Park with an equally wayward shot.

Nortey had a shot deflected but Russell was down well to cover.

McLaughlin was set up by substitute Matty Pattison but was unable to keep his shot down.

Wanadio's free kick was met by Kargbo but his flicked effort was saved comfortably by Russell.

At the other end, Whitmore headed wide from a corner.

Bakare shot well over from distance but despite the endeavour from substitute Sahr Kabba Welling did not threaten again and it took an outstanding Marek Rodak save from Pattison to keep them from conceding a late second.

Other results left them ten points adrift of safety going into the Easter period.

Welling United: Rodak,Williams, Chesmain, Kargbo,Gayle, Lokko, Wanadio (Daniel 78), Nortey, Bakare, Kashket, Harris (Kabba 66). Unused substitutes: McEntegart, Taylor, Chambers.