After a month without a home game, Welling United were beaten by Oxford City at snow swept Park View Road.

Wings' manager Jamie Coyle chose to keep an unchanged starting line-up following victory at East Thurrock United so captain Connor Dymond, who had served his two game suspension, had to settle for a place on the bench.

In the early stages, Welling played some great football and after a move of more than twenty passes Oxford goalkeeper Craig King was happy to pluck Joe Healy's cross out.

Another good move resulted in Ryan Hall being teed up but his shot struck team-mate Bradley Goldberg and came out. Then Callum Driver sent a cross across the face of goal but nobody was able to get on the end of it.

However, Oxford were sharp on the break and took advantage of a defensive error to create an opportunity which was only thwarted by a linesman's flag. Eddie Jones intercepted a stray pass to break away and cross but Robert Sinclair made his run too soon and although he finished well, it was disallowed for offside.

Soon followed another lapse at the back resulting in a further opening for Oxford when a wild clearance struck Matt Paterson and fell to Sam Nombe but he opened his body and side-footed his volley wide of the post.

When Welling worked a short corner well, Jack Parkinson rose at the far post but it was just too high for him and although he did well to get a floated header towards goal it was not too difficult for a defender to clear off the line at the expense of another corner.

King was finally called upon to make a save when Bradley Goldberg was allowed an opportunity to let fly from the edge of the area. King could not hold it first time but recovered to smother it as Adam Coombes closed in.

Parkinson had another opportunity late in the first half when he showed great technique to bring it down but he had to reach for the finish and he skewed it wide.

Just before the break, an Eddie Jones cross found Paterson but he failed to muster any power and Bailey Vose was able to pick it up easily.

At the break Parkinson, who had been struggling with an injury, was withdrawn and replaced by Dymond.

Driver had the first opportunity of the second half but his cross-shot sailed over before Oxford were back on the attack. Freddie Grant worked his way through but somehow fired over when well placed.

However, Oxford did not have long to wait for the opening goal. Paterson picked out Sinclair who controlled well before firing low across goal and into the bottom corner.

Grant then did well to pull back to Paterson but he went for placement over power and sent his shot the wrong side of the post.

Almost out of the blue Welling levelled when two substitutes combined well. Jeffrey Monakana crossed and Jamie Philpot twisted to send an unstoppable header into the top corner.

Any hopes that Welling had of going on to win it were thwarted by another defensive error. Grant made the most of some dithering and sent Nombe clear and he made no mistake when slotting beyond Vose.

Philpot came close to a second equaliser when chesting down a long Healy pass but his powerful drive went wide of the near post.

Paterson was again just off target before Oxford scored the game killing third goal. Sinclair turned provider and found Grant who cut across the face of the penalty area before firing into the bottom corner.

To their credit, Welling didn't give up and Philpot broke down the right side but Healy was unable to finish.

One more chance came and went when Coombes' header from Philpot's cross was claimed by King at the near post.

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Jefford, Durojaiye, Okuonghae, Parkinson (Dymond 46), Jebb (Philpot 69), Healy, Goldberg, Coombes, Hall (Monakana 61). Subs not used: Coyle, Nanetti.