There was no fun day for Welling United as they crashed to a two-nil loss at home to Chelmsford City.

Their threadbare squad meant they had far too many people playing out of their natural positions but they can have no complaints about the outcome.

Harry Crawford, Sean Francis and Sam Hatton all missed out as a result of injuries picked up at Truro and Danny Waldren was away following the birth of twin children early in the morning.

It took just five minutes for the visitors went ahead when a long ball was allowed to bounce over the Welling defence and Luke Daley rounded Chris Lewington before slotting home.

Shaun Jeffers then wriggled through but Lewington dived to make a good save.

Harvey Brand was recalled from his dual registration at Chatham Town to make his Wings' debut and hit a long range shot that was well saved by Ross Fitzsimons.

Shamir Mullings missed an absolute sitter for the visitors before Anthony Church headed over when well placed.

Another long range Brand shot flew wide of the far post.

Julian Banton then fired well off target following Welling's best move of the match presented him with an opportunity to let fly.

Having escaped once, Welling were again fortunate when Jeffers had an easy passage down the right wing before pulling back to Robbie Wilmott who failed to hit the target with the goal gaping.

Jamie Slabber missed with a first time effort after Dan Walker had given him a sight at goal but Chelmsford still looked the more likely.

Former Wing, Chris Bush, went on an attacking forage and found Jeffers who drew another good save out of Lewington.

Church then had a header cleared off the line and Bush's follow up was claimed by Lewington.

Mark Goldberg made one change for the Wings at the break, replacing Slabber with Warren Whitely.

Early in the second half, Bush fired in a long range effort that was claimed easily by Lewington.

If Welling were to get anything out of the match, they had to take their chances but they missed a glorious one soon after. Lyle Della-Verde's low cross was missed by Pierre Joseph-Dubois but Walker made a total hash of his effort and Chelmsford cleared.

Rickie Hayles headed over from Della-Verde's corner but the visitors were soon attacking again and Mullings fired over from well out.

Mullings had another chance when heading Daniel Blanchett's deep cross straight at Lewington.

Walker had a shot blocked by Phil Walsh before Welling were left to rue their luck. Adam Coombes took aim from the edge of the area only to see his effort fly back off the post with Fitzsimons well beaten.

Substitute Corby Moore had a shot saved after good work by Daley but that proved to be a short lived reprieve for the Wings.

A tackle by Coombes saw the referee awarding a penalty to Chelmsford when the Welling players expected a decision in their favour but Jeffers was unfazed and stepped up to send Lewington the wrong way.

Mitchell Nelson came close to an immediate response with a diving header from another Della-Verde cross that flew wide but for all their huffing and puffing, they could not get themselves back into the game.

Substitute Josh Jackson fired over in injury time and Della-Verde had a free kick saved with virtually the last kick of the match.

Welling United: Lewington, Brand, Brown, Banton, Nelson, Hayles, Joseph-Dubois (Jackson 78), Coombes, Slabber (Whitely 46), Walker, Della-Verde. Unused Substitutes: Sprague, Johnson, Devyne.