WELLING United finished the season with a flat performance against Dean Holdsworth’s Newport County.

Having discovered in the morning Hampton & Richmond had been given the green light to participate in the play-offs, the news must have had a severe de-motivating effect.

It meant the Wings’ outside chance of being offered the place had gone.

The hosts came close to scoring in the opening moments when Tony Sinclair headed goalwards from a Loui Fazackerley corner, only to be thwarted by Wayne Turk’s header off the line.

Newport County then took control of the match and Danny Rose was foiled by a double save by David Wilkinson.

Wilkinson was called into action again saving from Nathan Davies before the prolific Craig Reid put the rebound wide.

In a rare attack, Welling’s Sanchez Ming was brought down by Martyn Giles but the resulting free-kick taken by Sonny Cobbs did not have enough power to trouble Glyn Thompson in the Exiles’ goal.

Paul Cochlin had a glorious chance for Newport just before the break but failed to hit the target from close range.

Early in the second half, Welling had a good shout for a penalty when Fazackerley was kicked in the chest by Giles but the appeal was turned away by referee Eamonn Smith.

Cobbs’ final taste of the action was a superb last ditch tackle on Reid immediately before being replaced by Lee Protheroe.

One minute later and the visitors were ahead.

Reid played Sam Foley in and he slipped the ball beyond Wilkinson and into the back of the net.

James Baker then replaced Ming before the Wings had a glorious chance to equalise.

A defensive mix-up left Charlie Sheringham clean through but he rifled his shot well wide from 12 yards out.

Graeme Andrews and Jack Parkinson both had half chances from Fazackerley corners but Newport made the game safe in the 79th minute.

Foley’s free-kick did not appear to be too threatening but it evaded everyone and floated inside the far post.

Although a soft goal ended an indifferent performance, the Welling supporters stayed to applaud the efforts put in by the players throughout an entertaining season.

Welling: Wilkinson, Parkinson, Cobbs (Protheroe 60), Quinn, Andrews, Sinclair, Ming (Baker 68), Johnson, Fazackerley, Sheringham, Hurrell. Subs not used: McEntegart, Mitten and Stevens. Att: 620.