In a game of few opportunities, Welling United were beaten when Havant and Waterlooville converted their one clear chance.

For the Hawks, it buried a bogey. In the ten previous meetings at Park View Road, Welling had won nine and drawn one.

There were two changes in the Welling line up from their game at Hampton and Richmond Borough five days earlier. Fit again Ben Jefford replaced Archie Johnson and Jack Parkinson came in for Magnus Okuonghae before starting his two game ban.

League leaders Havant knew that anything other than a win would allow Dartford to get close. However Welling needed the three points to keep them in the top seven and in the play-off zone.

Under the circumstances, it was unsurprising that the game got off to a cagey start. Welling played some pretty football in midfield but Havant's more direct football created a few half chances.

James Hayter fired well wide early on before an unconvincing shot from Jason Prior went across the face of goal.

Theo Lewis had a header saved comfortably by Bailey Vose before Dan Strugnell floated in an effort well off target that may have been intended as a cross.

Andreas Robinson drew a good save out of Vose from long range before Hayter tried an audacious effort that went well wide when he thought that the Welling goalkeeper was off his line.

After that, Welling came into the match and Adam Coombes had a shot deflected wide for a corner.

Bradley Goldberg then led a good attacking move but shot from a difficult position when a pass might have been a better option.

Rory Williams fired a free kick into the defensive wall then floated the follow up into the air for Vose to claim before Robinson fired well over.

As the first half moved into injury time, Welling twice came close. First Jebb curled a free kick over the wall but Ryan Young made a stunning save tipping over via the crossbar. Then from the ensuing corner, Jebb found Parkinson whose header crashed back off the post.

Soon after the teams came back out Welling again struck the woodwork when Coombes' header beat Young but hit the post.

Robinson had a shot that was saved easily by Vose then Young made a comfortable stop from Goldberg as the two sides continued to spar with each other.

Coombes got on the end of a superb Jebb through ball and his powerful drive brought out another great save from Young.

Young was again called into action when saving a Coombes header before the Welling danger-man's afternoon was ended. Once again, he got in behind the Havant back four but as he looked to close in he pulled up holding his leg and had to be replaced by Ryan Hall.

Moments later, Havant broke the deadlock. Williams slung over a corner and it fell to Strugnell who buried at the second attempt. He then went on a strange celebration in which he injured himself and had to be substituted.

Although eighteen minutes remained, Havant took the sting out of the game and Welling were left trying to feed off scraps. The best chance came when Jebb crossed, Healy headed back across the face of goal but Jamie Philpot headed over from close range.

Callum Driver shot well over for Welling then Philpot headed wide from Christian Nanetti's cross.

When Philpot had one last header saved, Welling knew it was not to be their day.

Welling United: Vose, Driver, Jefford, Durojaiye (Nanetti 83), Coyle, Parkinson, Jebb, Healy, Goldberg, Coombes (Hall 64), Philpot. Subs not used: Okuonghae, Johnson, Dymond.